Begumbagh; A Tale of the Indian Mutiny, and three other short stories, by George Manville Fenn. 

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This book of short stories is an excellent read in the usual Fenn styleof suspense. "How does he get out of this one?" is always in thereader's mind. 

Most of the book is taken up with a story about the plight of theBritish members of a small garrison, during the Indian Mutiny. 

The second story is about half as long, and is a well-written andextremely plausible story about a house owned by an old gentleman ofancient lineage, where there is a collection of gold plate which wassaid to be an "incubus", that is, the subject of a curse. As indeedthere turns out to be. 

The third story is about a couple of smugglers who get trapped in a"gowt", which is the exit to the sea of one of the great land-drains ofEastern England, constructed by that great Dutch engineer, Vandermuyden, in the seventeenth century. 

And the last story is about a new and well-found ship, that nearlydoesn't weather a severe storm in the Atlantic. The captain has takento the bottle, and command is taken by a junior officer: the shipsurvives. 

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BEGUMBAGH, A TALE OF THE INDIAN MUTINY, AND THREE OTHER SHORT STORIESBY GEORGE MANVILLE FENN. 

INTRODUCTION. 

BEGUMBAGH. 

I've waited all these years, expecting some one or another would give afull and true account of it all; but little thinking it would ever cometo be my task. For it's not in my way; but seeing how much has beensaid about other parts and other people's sufferings; while ours neverso much as came in for a line of newspaper, I can't think it's fair; andas fairness is what I always did like, I set to, very much against mywill; while, on account of my empty sleeve, the paper keeps slipping andsliding about, so that I can only hold it quiet by putting the leadinkstand on one corner, and my tobacco-jar on the other. You see, I'mnot much at home at this sort of thing; and though, if you put a pipeand a glass of something before me, I could tell you all about it, taking my time, like, it seems that won't do. I said, "Why don't youwrite it down as I tell it, so as other people could read all about it?"But "No, " he says; "I could do it in my fashion, but I want it to be inyour simple unadorned style; so set to and do it. "

I daresay a good many of you know me--seen me often in Bond Street, atFacet's door--Facet's, you know, the great jeweller, where I stand andopen carriages, or take messages, or small parcels with no end ofvaluables in them, for I'm trusted. Smith, my name is, Isaac Smith; andI'm that tallish, grisly fellow with the seam down one side of my face, my left sleeve looped up to my button, and not a speck to be seen onthat "commissionaire's" uniform, upon whose breast I've got threemedals. 

I was standing one day, waiting patiently for something to do, when atallish gentleman came up, nodded as if he knew me well, and I saluted. 

"Lose that limb in the Crimea, my man?"

"No, sir. Mutiny, " I said, standing as stiff as use had made naturewith me. 

And then he asked me a lot more questions, and I answered him; and theend of it was that one evening I went to his house, and he had me in, and did what was wanted to set me off. I'd had a little bit of anitching to try something of the kind, I must own, for long enough, buthis words started me; and in consequence I got a quire of the bestfoolscap paper, and a pen'orth of pens, and here's my story. 

STORY ONE, CHAPTER ONE. 

BEGUMBAGH, A TALE OF THE INDIAN MUTINY. 

Dun-dub-dub-dub-dub-dub. Just one light beat given by the boys infront--the light sharp tap upon their drums, to give the time for themarch; and in heavy order there we were, her Majesty's 156th Regiment ofLight Infantry, making our way over the dusty roads with the hot morningsun beating down upon our heads. We were marching very loosely, though, for the men were tired, and we were longing for the halt to be called, so that we might rest during the heat of the day, and then go on again. Tents, baggage-wagons, women, children, elephants, all were there; andwe were getting over the ground at the rate of about fifteen miles aday, on our way up to the station, where we were to relieve a regimentgoing home. 

I don't know what we should have done if it hadn't been for Harry Lant, the weather being very trying, almost as trying as our hot red coats andheavy knapsacks, and flower-pot busbies, with a round white ball like achild's plaything on the top; but no matter how tired he was, Harry Lanthad always something to say or do, and even if the colonel was close by, he'd say or do it. Now, there happened to be an elephant walking alongby our side, with the captain of our company, one of the lieutenants, and a couple of women in the howdah; while a black nigger fellow, inclean white calico clothes, and not much of 'em, and a muslin turban, and a good deal of it, was striddling on the creature's neck, rollinghis eyes about, and flourishing an iron toasting-fork sort of thing, with which he drove the great flap-eared patient beast. The men werebeginning to grumble gently, and shifting their guns from side to side, and sneezing, and coughing, and choking in the kicked-up dust, like aflock of sheep, when Captain Dyer scrambles down off the elephant, andtakes his place alongside us, crying out cheerily: "Only another mile, my lads, and then breakfast. "

We gave him a cheer, and another half-mile was got over, when once morethe boys began to flag terribly, and even Harry Lant was silent, which, seeing what Harry Lant was, means a wonderful deal more respecting theweather than any number of degrees on a thermometer, I can tell you; butI looked round at him, and he knew what it meant, and, slipping out, hegoes up to the elephant. "Carry your trunk, sir, " he says; and takinggently hold of the great beast's soft nose, he laid it upon hisshoulder, and marched on like that, with the men roaring with laughter. 

"Pulla-wulla. Ma-pa-na, " shouted the nigger who was driving, orsomething that sounded like it, for of all the rum lingoes ever spoke, theirs is about the rummest, and always put me in mind of the fal-lal-laor tol-de-rol chorus of a song. 

"All right. I'll take care!" sings out Harry; and on he marched, withthe great soft-footed beast lifting its round pads and putting them downgently so as not to hurt Harry; and, trifling as that act was, it meanta great deal, as you'll see if you read on, while just then it got ourpoor fellows over the last half-mile without one falling out; and thenthe halt was called; men wheeled into line; we were dismissed; and soonafter we were lounging about, under such shade as we could manage to getin the thin tope of trees. 

STORY ONE, CHAPTER TWO. 

That's a pretty busy time, that first half-hour after a halt: what withthe niggers setting up a few tents, and getting a fire lighted, andfetching water; but in spite of our being tired, we soon had thingsright. There was the colonel's tent, Colonel Maine's--a little stoutman, that we all used to laugh at, because he was such a little, round, good-tempered chap, who never troubled about anything, for we hadn'tlearned then what was lying asleep in his brave little body, waiting tobe brought out. Then there was the mess tent for the officers, and thehospital tent for those on the sick-list, beside our bell tents, that weshouldn't have set up at all, only to act as sun-shades. But, ofcourse, the principal tent was the colonel's. 

Well, there they were, the colonel and his lady, Mrs Maine--a nice, kindly-spoken, youngish woman: twenty years younger than he, she was;but, for all that, a happier couple never breathed; and they two used toseem as if the regiment, and India, and all the natives were made onpurpose to fall down and worship the two little golden idols they'd setup--a little girl and a little boy, you know. Cock Robin and JennyWren, we chaps used to call them, though Jenny Wren was about a year anda half the oldest. And I believe it was from living in France a bit, that the colonel's wife had got the notion of dressing them so; but itwould have done your heart good to see those two children--the boy withhis little red tunic and his sword, and the girl with her red jacket andbelt, and a little canteen of wine and water, and a tiny tin mug; andthem little things driving the old black ayah half-wild with the waythey used to dodge away from her to get amongst the men, who took no endof delight in bamboozling the fat old woman when she was hunting forthem; sending them here, and there, and everywhere, till she'd turnround and make signs with her hands, and spit on the ground, which washer way of cursing us. For I must say that we English were very, verycareless about what we did or said to the natives. Officers and men, all alike, seemed to look upon them as something very little better thanbeasts, and talked to them as if they had no feelings at all, littlethinking what fierce masters the trampled slaves could turn out, if everthey had their day--the day that the old proverb says is sure to comefor every dog; and there was not a soul among us then that had the leastbit of suspicion that the dog--by which, you know, I mean the Indiangenerally--was going mad, and sharpening those teeth of his ready tobite. 

Well, as a matter of course, there were other people in our regimentthat I ought to mention: Captain Dyer I did name; but there was alieutenant, a very good-looking young fellow, who was a great favouritewith Mrs Colonel Maine; and he dined a deal with them at all times, besides being a great chum of Captain Dyer's--they two shootingtogether, and being like brothers, though there was a something inLieutenant Leigh that I never seemed to take to. Then there was thedoctor--a Welshman he was, and he used to make it his boast that ourregiment was about the healthiest anywhere; and I tell you what it is, if you were ill once, and in hospital, as we call it--though, you know, with a marching regiment that only means anywhere till you get well--Isay, if you were ill once, and under his hands, you'd think twice beforeyou made up your mind to be ill again, and be very bad too before youwent to him. Pestle, we used to call him, though his name was Hughes;and how we men did hate him, mortally, till we found out his realcharacter, when we were lying cut to pieces almost, and him ready to cryover us at times as he tried to bring us round. "Hold up, my lads, "he'd say, "only another hour, and you'll be round the corner!" when whatthere was left of us did him justice. Then, of course, there were otherofficers, and some away with the major and another battalion of ourregiment at Wallahbad; but they've nothing to do with my story. 

I do not think I can do better than introduce you to our mess on thevery morning of this halt, when, after cooling myself with a pipe, justthe same as I should have warmed myself with a pipe if it had been inCanady or Nova Scotia, I walked up to find all ready for breakfast, andMrs Bantem making the tea. 

Some of the men didn't fail to laugh at us who took our tea forbreakfast; but all the same I liked it, for it always took me home, teadid--and to the days when my poor old mother used to say that therenever was such a boy for bread and butter as I was; not as there wasever so much butter that she need have grumbled, whatever I cost forbread; and though Mrs Bantem wasn't a bit like my mother, she broughtup the homely thoughts. Mrs Bantem was, I should say, about thebiggest and ugliest woman I ever saw in my life. She stood five feeteleven and a half in her stockings, for Joe Bantem got Sergeant Bullerto take her under the standard one day. She'd got a face nearly as darkas a black's; she'd got a moustache, and a good one too; and a greatcoarse look about her altogether. Measles--I'll tell you who he wasdirectly--Measles used to say she was a horse god-mother; and theydidn't seem to like one another; but Joe Bantem was as proud of thatwoman as she was of him; and if any one hinted about her looks, he usedto laugh, and say that was only the outside rind, and talk about thejuice. But all the same, though, no one couldn't be long with thatwoman without knowing her flavour. It was a sight to see her and Joetogether, for he was just a nice middle size--five feet seven and ahalf--and as pretty a pink and white, brown-whiskered, open-faced man asever you saw. We all got tanned and coppered over and over again, butJoe kept as nice and fresh and fair as on the day we embarked fromGosport years before; and the standing joke was that Mrs Bantem had apreparation for keeping his complexion all square. 

Joe Bantem knew what he was about, though, for one day when a nastyremark had been made by the men of another regiment, he got talking tome in confidence over our pipes, and he swore that there wasn't a betterwoman living; and he was right, for I'm ready now at this present momentto take the Book in my hand, and swear the same thing before all thejudges in Old England. For you see we're such duffers, we men: shew usa pretty bit of pink and white, and we run mad after it; while all thetime we're running away from no end of what's solid and good, and true, and such as'll wear well, and shew fast colours, long after your pinkand white's got faded and grimy. Not as I've much room to talk. Butpresent company, you know, and setra. What, though, as a rule, doesyour pretty pink and white know about buttons, or darning, or cooking?Why, we had the very best of cooking; not boiled tag and rag, but nicestews and roasts and hashes, when other men were growling over adog's-meat dinner. We had the sweetest of clean shirts, and never abutton off; our stockings were darned; and only let one of us--Measles, for instance--take a drop more than he ought, just see how she'd drop onto him, that's all. If his head didn't ache before, it would ache then;and I can see as plain now as if it was only this minute, instead ofyears ago, her boxing Measles' ears, and threatening to turn him out toanother mess if he didn't keep sober. And she would have turned himover too, only, as she said to Joe, and Joe told me, it might have beenthe poor fellow's ruin, seeing how weak he was, and easily led away. The long and short of it is, Mrs Bantem was a good motherly woman offorty; and those who had anything to say against her, said it out ofjealousy, and all I have to say now is what I've said before: she onlyhad one fault, and that is, she never had any little Bantems to makewives for honest soldiers to come; and wherever she is, my wish is thatshe may live happy and venerable to a hundred. 

That brings me to Measles. Bigley his name was; but he'd had thesmall-pox very bad when a child, through not being vaccinated; and hisface was all picked out in holes, so round and smooth that you mighthave stood peas in them all over his cheeks and forehead, and theywouldn't have fallen off; so we called him Measles. If any of you say"Why?" I don't know no more than I have said. 

He was a sour-tempered sort of fellow was Measles, who listed becausehis sweetheart laughed at him; not that he cared for her, but he didn'tlike to be laughed at, so he listed out of spite, as he said, and thatmade him spiteful. He was always grumbling about not getting hispromotion, and sneering at everything and everybody, and quarrellingwith Harry Lant, him, you know, as carried the elephant's trunk; whileHarry was never happy without he was teasing him, so that sometimesthere was a deal of hot water spilled in our mess. 

And now I think I've only got to name three of the drum-boys, that MrsBantem ruled like a rod of iron, though all for their good, and thenI've done. 

Well, we had our breakfast, and thoroughly enjoyed it, sitting out therein the shade. Measles grumbled about the water, just because ithappened to be better than usual; for sometimes we soldiers out there inIndia used to drink water that was terrible lively before it had beencooked in the kettle; for though water-insects out there can stand adeal of heat, they couldn't stand a fire. Mrs Bantem was washing upthe things afterwards, and talking about dinner; Harry Lant was pickingup all the odds and ends, to carry off to the great elephant, standingjust then in the best bit of shade he could find, flapping his greatears about, blinking his little pig's eyes, and turning his trunk andhis tail into two pendulums, swinging them backwards and forwards asregular as clockwork, and all the time watching Harry, when Measles saysall at once, "Here come some lunatics!"

STORY ONE, CHAPTER THREE. 

Now, after what I've told you about Measles' listing for spite, you willeasily understand that the fact of his calling any one a lunatic did notprove a want of common reason in the person spoken about; but what hemeant was, that the people coming up were half-mad for travelling whenthe sun was so high, and had got so much power. 

I looked up and saw, about a mile off, coming over the long straightlevel plain, what seemed to be an elephant, and a man or two onhorseback; and before I had been looking above a minute, I saw CaptainDyer cross over to the colonel's tent, and then point in the directionof the coming elephant. The next minute, he crossed over to where wewere. "Seen Lieutenant Leigh?" he says in his quick way. 

"No, sir; not since breakfast. "

"Send him after me, if he comes in sight. Tell him Miss Ross and partyare yonder, and I've ridden on to meet them. "

The next minute he had gone, taken a horse from a sycee, and in spite ofthe heat, cantered off to meet the party with the elephant, the airbeing that clear that I could see him go right up, turn his horse round, and ride gently back by the side. 

I did not see anything of the lieutenant and, to tell the truth, Iforgot all about him, for I was thinking about the party coming, for Ihad somehow heard a little about Mrs Maine's sister coming out from theold country to stay with her. If I recollect right, the black nursetold Mrs Bantem, and she mentioned it. This party, then, I supposedcontained the lady herself; and it was as I thought. We had had toleave Patna unexpectedly to relieve the regiment ordered home; and thelady, according to orders, had followed us, for this was only our secondday's march. 

I suppose it was my pipe made me settle down to watch the coming party, and wonder what sort of a body Miss Ross would be, and whether anythinglike her sister. Then I wondered who would marry her, for, as you know, ladies are not very long out in India without picking up a husband. "Perhaps, " I said to myself, "it will be the lieutenant;" but tenminutes after, as the elephant shambled up, I altered my mind, forCaptain Dyer was ambling along beside the great beast, and his was thehand that helped the lady down--a tall, handsome, self-possessed girl, who seemed quite to take the lead, and kiss and soothe the sister, whenshe ran out of the tent to throw her arms round the new-comer's neck. 

"At last, then, Elsie, " Mrs Colonel said out aloud. "You've had a longdreary ride. "

"Not during the last ten minutes, " Miss Ross said, laughing in a bright, merry, free-hearted way. "Lieutenant Leigh has been welcoming me mostcordially. "

"Who?" exclaimed Mrs Colonel, staring from one to the other. 

"Lieutenant Leigh, " said Miss Ross. 

"I'm afraid I am to blame for not announcing myself, " said Captain Dyer, lifting his muslin-covered cap. "Your sister, Miss Ross, asked me toride to meet you, in Lieutenant Leigh's absence. "

"You, then--"

"I am only Lawrence Dyer, his friend, " said the captain, smiling. 

It's a singular thing that just then, as I saw the young lady blushdeeply, and Mrs Colonel look annoyed, I muttered to myself, "Somethingwill come of this, " because, if there's anything I hate, it's for a manto set himself up for a prophet. But it looked to me as if the captainhad been taking Lieutenant Leigh's place, and that Miss Ross, as wasreally the case, though she had never seen him, had heard him so muchtalked of by her sister, that she had welcomed him, as she thought, quite as an old friend, when all the time she had been talking toCaptain Dyer. 

And I was not the only one who thought about it; else why did MrsColonel look annoyed, and the colonel, who came paddling out, exclaimloudly: "Why, Leigh, look alive, man! here's Dyer been stealing a marchupon you. Why, where have you been?"

I did not hear what the lieutenant said, for my attention was just thentaken up by something else, but I saw him go up to Miss Ross, holdingout his hand, while the meeting was very formal; but, as I told you, myattention was taken up by something else, and that something was alittle, dark, bright, eager, earnest face, with a pair of sharp eyes, and a little mocking-looking mouth; and as Captain Dyer had helped MissRoss down with the steps from the howdah, so did I help down LizzyGreen, her maid; to get, by way of thanks, a half-saucy look, a nod ofthe head, and the sight of a pretty little tripping pair of ankles goingover the hot sandy dust towards the tent. 

But the next minute she was back, to ask about some luggage--abullock-trunk or two--and she was coming up to me, as I eagerly steppedforward to meet her, when she seemed, as it were, to take it into herhead to shy at me, going instead to Harry Lant, who had just come up, and who, on hearing what she wanted, placed his hands, with a graveswoop, upon his head, and made her a regular eastern salaam, ending bytelling her that her slave would obey her commands. All of which seemedto grit upon me terribly; I didn't know why, then, but I found outafterwards, though not for many days to come. 

We had the route given us for Begumbagh, a town that, in the old days, had been rather famous for its grandeur; but, from what I had heard, itwas likely to turn out a very hot, dry, dusty, miserable spot; and Iused to get reckoning up how long we should be frizzling out there inIndia before we got the orders for home; and put it at the lowestcalculation, I could not make less of it than five years. But there, wewho were soldiers had made our own beds, and had to lie upon them, whether it was at home or abroad; and, as Mrs Bantem used to say to us, "Where was the use of grumbling?" There were troubles in every life, even if it was a civilian's--as we soldiers always called those whodidn't wear the Queen's uniform--and it was very doubtful whether weshould have been a bit happier, if we had been in any other line. Butall the same, government might have made things a little better for usin the way of suitable clothes, and things proper for the climate. 

And so on we went: marching mornings and nights; camping all through thehot day; and it was not long before we found that, in Miss Ross, we menhad got something else beside the children to worship. 

But I may as well say now, and have it off my mind, that it has alwaysstruck me, that during those peaceful days, when our greatest worry wasa hot march, we didn't know when we were well off, and that it wantedthe troubles to come before we could see what good qualities there werein other people. Little trifling things used to make us sore--thingssuch as we didn't notice afterwards, when great sorrows came. I know Iwas queer, and spiteful, and jealous, and no great wonder that for Ialways was a man with a nastyish temper, and soon put out; but even MrsBantem used to shew that she wasn't quite perfect, for she quite upsetme, one day, when Measles got talking at dinner about Lizzy Green, MissRoss's maid, and, what was a wonderful thing for him, not finding fault. He got saying that she was a nice girl, and would make a soldier aswanted one a good wife; when Mrs Bantem fires up as spiteful as couldbe--I think, mind you, there'd been something wrong with the cookingthat day, which had turned her a little--and she says that Lizzy wasvery well, but looks weren't everything, and that she was raw as raw, and would want no end of dressing before she would be good for anything;while, as to making a soldier's wife, soldiers had no business to havewives till they could buy themselves off, and turn civilians. Then, again, she seemed to have taken a sudden spite against Mrs Maine, saying that she was a poor, little, stuck-up, fine lady, and she couldnever have forgiven her if it had not been for those two beautifulchildren; though what Mrs Bantem had got to forgive the colonel's wife, I don't believe she even knew herself. 

The old black ayah, too, got very much put out about this time, and allon account of the two new-comers; for when Miss Ross hadn't got thechildren with her, they were along with Lizzy, who, like her mistress, was new to the climate, and hadn't got into that dull listless way thatcomes to people who have been some time up the country. They were alllife, and fun, and energy, and the children were never happy when theywere away; and of a morning, more to please Lizzy, I used to think, thanthe children, Harry Lant used to pick out a shady place, and then driveChunder Chow, who was the mahout of _Nabob_, the principal elephant, half-wild, by calling out his beast, and playing with him all sorts ofantics. Chunder tried all he could to stop it, but it was of no use, for Harry had got such influence over that animal that when one day hewas coaxing him out to lead him under some trees, and the mahout triedto stop him, _Nabob_ makes no more ado, but lifts his great soft trunk, and rolls Mr Chunder Chow over into the grass, where he lay screechinglike a parrot, and chattering like a monkey, rolling his opal eyeballs, and shewing his white teeth with fear, for he expected that _Nabob_ wasgoing to put his foot on him, and crush him to death, as is the natureof those great beasts. But not he: he only lays his trunk gently onHarry's shoulder, and follows him across the open like a greatflesh-mountain, winking his little pig's eyes, whisking his tiny tail, and flapping his great ears; while the children clapped their hands asthey stood in the shade with Miss Ross and Lizzy, and Captain Dyer andLieutenant Leigh close behind. 

"There's no call to be afraid, miss, " says Harry, saluting as he sawMiss Ross shrink back; and seeing how, when he said a few words inHindustani, the great animal minded him, they stopped being scared, andgave Harry fruit and cakes to feed the great beast with. 

You see, out there in that great dull place, people are very glad tohave any little trifle to amuse them, so you mustn't be surprised tohear that there used to be quite a crowd to see Harry Lant'sperformances, as he called them. But all the same, I didn't like hisupsetting old Chunder Chow; and it seemed to me even then, that we'dmanaged to make another black enemy--the black ayah being the first. 

However, Harry used to go on making old _Nabob_ kneel down, or shakehands, or curl up his trunk, or lift him up, finishing off by going upto his head, lifting one great ear, saying they understood one another, whispering a few words, and then shutting the ear up again, so as thewords shouldn't be lost before they got into the elephant's brain, as Iexplained, because they'd got a long way to go. Then Harry would liedown, and let the great beast walk backwards and forwards all over him, lifting his great feet so carefully, and setting them down close toHarry, but never touching him, except one day when, just as the greatbeast was passing his foot over Harry's breast, a voice called outsomething in Hindustani--and I knew who it was, though I didn't see--when _Nabob_ puts his feet down on Harry's chest, and Lizzy gave a greatscream, and we all thought the poor chap would be crushed; but not he:the great beast was took by surprise, but only for an instant, and, inhis slow quiet way, he steps aside, and then touches Harry all over withhis trunk; and there was no more performance that day. 

"I've got my knife into Master Chunder for that, " says Harry to me, "forI'll swear that was his voice. " And I started to find he had known it. 

"I wouldn't quarrel with him, " I says quietly, "for it strikes me he'sgot his knife into you. "

"You've no idea, " says Harry, "what a nip it was. I thought it was allover; but all the same, the poor brute didn't mean it, I'd swear. "

STORY ONE, CHAPTER FOUR. 

Who could have thought just then that all that nonsense of Harry Lant'swith the elephant was shaping itself for our good, but so it was, as youshall by-and-by hear. The march continued, matters seeming to go onvery smoothly--but only seeming, mind you, for let alone that we wereall walking upon a volcano, there was a good deal of unpleasantrybrewing. Let alone my feeling that, somehow or another, Harry Lant wasnot so true a mate to me as he used to be, there was a good deal wrongbetween Captain Dyer and Lieutenant Leigh, and it soon seemed plain thatthere was much more peace and comfort in our camp a week earlier thanthere was at the time of which I am now writing. 

I used to have my turns as sentry here and there; and it was whenstanding stock-still with my piece, that I used to see and hear somuch--for in a camp it seems to be a custom for people to look upon asentry as a something that can neither see nor hear anything but whatmight come in the shape of an enemy. They know he must not move fromhis post, which is to say that he's tied hand and foot, and perhaps fromthat they think that he's tied as to his senses. At all events, I gotto see that when Miss Ross was seated in the colonel's tent, and CaptainDyer was near her, she seemed to grow gentle and quiet, and her eyeswould light up, and her rich red lips part, as she listened to what hewas saying; while, when it came to Lieutenant Leigh's turn, and he wasbeside her talking, she would be merry and chatty, and would laugh andtalk as lively as could be. Harry Lant said it was because they weremaking up matters, and that some day she would be Mrs Leigh; but Ididn't look at it in that light, thought said nothing. 

I used to like to be sentry at the colonel's tent, on our halting forthe night, when the canvas would be looped up, to let in the air, andthey'd got their great globe-lamps lit, with the tops to them, to keepout the flies, and the draughts made by the punkahs swinging backwardsand forwards. I used to think it quite a pretty sight, with the ladiesand the three or four officers, perhaps chatting, perhaps having alittle music, for Miss Ross could sing like--like a nightingale, I wasgoing to say; but no nightingale that I ever heard could seem to layhold of your heart and almost bring tears into your eyes, as she did. Then she used to sing duets with Captain Dyer, because the colonelwished it, though it was plain to see Mrs Maine didn't like it, anymore than did Lieutenant Leigh, who, more than once, as I've seen, walked out, looking fierce and angry, to strike off right away from thecamp, perhaps not to come back for a couple of hours. 

It was one night when we'd been about a fortnight on the way, for duringthe past week the colonel had been letting us go on very easily, I wassentry at the tent. There had been some singing, and Lieutenant Leighhad gone off in the middle of a duet. Then the doctor, the colonel, anda couple of subs were busy over a game at whist, and the black nurse hadbeckoned Mrs Maine out, I suppose to see something about the twochildren; when Captain Dyer and Miss Ross walked together just outsidethe tent, she holding by one of the cords, and he standing close besideher. 

They did not say much, but stood looking up at the bright silver moonand the glittering stars; while he said a word now and then about thebeauty of the scene, the white tents, the twinkling lights here andthere, and the soft peaceful aspect of all around; and then his voiceseemed to grow lower and deeper as he spoke from time to time, though Icould hardly hear a word, as I stood there like a statue watching herbeautiful face, with the great clusters of hair knotted back from herbroad white forehead, the moon shining full on it, and seeming to makeher eyes flash as they were turned to him. 

They must have stood there full half an hour, when she turned as if togo back, but he laid his hand upon hers as it held the tent cord, andsaid something very earnestly, when she turned to him again to look himfull in the face, and I saw that her hand was not moved. 

Then they were silent for a few seconds before he spoke again, loudenough for me to hear. 

"I must ask you, " he said huskily; "my peace depends upon it. I knowthat it has always been understood that you were to be introduced toLieutenant Leigh. I can see now plainly enough what are your sister'swishes; but hearts are ungovernable, Miss Ross, and I tell youearnestly, as a simple, truth-speaking man, that you have rousedfeelings that until now slept quietly in my breast. If I ampresumptuous, forgive me--love is bold as well as timid--but at leastset me at rest: tell me, is there any engagement between you andLieutenant Leigh?"

She did not speak for a few moments, but met his gaze--so it seemed tome--without shrinking, before saying one word, so softly, that it waslike one of the whispers of the breeze crossing the plain--and that wordwas "No!"

"God bless you for that answer, Miss Ross--Elsie, " he said deeply; andthen his head was bent down for an instant over the hand that rested onthe cord, before Miss Ross glided away from him into the tent, and wentand stood resting with her hand upon the colonel's shoulder, when he, evidently in high glee, began to shew her his cards, laughing andpointing to first one, and then another, for he seemed to be having luckon his side. 

But I had no more eyes then for the inside of the tent, for Captain Dyerjust seemed to awaken to the fact that I was standing close by him assentry, and he gave quite a start as he looked at me for a few momentswithout speaking. Then he took a step forward. 

"Who is this? Oh, thank goodness!" (he said those few words in anundertone, but I happened to hear them). "Smith, " he said, "I forgotthere was a sentry there. You saw me talking to that lady?"

"Yes, sir, " I said. 

"You saw everything?"

"Yes, sir. "

"And you heard all?"

"No, sir, not all; only what you said last. "

Then he was silent again for a few moments, but only to lay his handdirectly after on my chest. 

"Smith, " he said, "I would rather you had not seen this; and if it hadbeen any other man in my company, I should perhaps have offered himmoney, to insure that there was no idle chattering at the mess-tables;but you I ask, as a man I can trust, to give me your word of honour as asoldier to let what you have seen and heard be sacred. "

"Thank you, captain, " I said, speaking thick, for somehow his wordsseemed to touch me. "You shan't repent trusting me. "

"I have no fear, Smith, " he said, speaking lightly, and as if he feltjoyful, and proud, and happy. --"What a glorious night for a cigar;" andhe took one out of his case, when we both started, for, as if he hadthat moment risen out of the ground, Lieutenant Leigh stood there closeto us; and even to this day I can't make out how he managed it, but allthe same he must have seen and heard as much as I had. 

"And pray, is my word of honour as a soldier to be taken, Captain Dyer?or is my silence to be bought with money?--Confound you I come this way, will you!" he hissed; for Captain Dyer had half turned, as if to avoidhim, but he stepped back directly, and I saw them walk off togetheramongst the trees, till they were quite out of sight; and if ever I feltwhat it was to be tied down to one spot, I felt it then, as I walkedsentry up and down by that tent watching for those two to return. 

STORY ONE, CHAPTER FIVE. 

Now, after giving my word of honour to hold all that sacred, some peoplemay think I'm breaking faith in telling what I saw; but I made thatright by asking the colonel's leave--he is a colonel now--and he smiled, and said that I ought to change the names, and then it would not matter. 

I left off my last chapter saying how I felt being tied down to onespot, as I kept guard there; and perhaps everybody don't know that asentry's duty is to stay in the spot where he has been posted, and thatleaving it lightly might, in time of war, mean death. 

I should think I watched quite an hour, wondering whether I ought togive any alarm; but I was afraid it would appear foolish, for perhapsafter all it might only mean a bit of a quarrel, and I could not call tomind any quarrel between officers ending in a duel. 

I was glad, too, that I did not say anything, for at last I saw themcoming back in the clear moonlight--clear-like as day; and then in thedistance they stopped, and in a moment one figure seemed to strike theother a sharp blow, which sent him staggering back, and I could not thensee who it was that was hit, till they came nearer, and I made out thatit was Captain Dyer; while, if I had any doubts at first, I could havenone as they came nearer and nearer, with Lieutenant Leigh talking in abig insolent way at Captain Dyer, who was very quiet, holding hishandkerchief to his cheek. 

So as to be as near as possible to where they were going to pass, Iwalked to the end of my tether, and, as they came up, Lieutenant Leighsays, in a nasty spiteful whisper: "I should have thought you would havecome into the tent to display the wound received in the lady's cause. "

"Leigh, " said Captain Dyer, taking down his white handkerchief--and inthe bright moonlight I could see that his cheek was cut, and thehandkerchief all bloody--"Leigh, that was an unmanly blow. You calledme a coward; you struck me; and now you try to poison the wound withyour words. I never lift hand against the man who has taken that handin his as my friend, but the day may come when I can prove to you thatyou are a liar. "

Lieutenant Leigh turned upon him fiercely, as though he would havestruck him again; but Captain Dyer paid no heed to him, only walkedquietly off to his quarters; while, with a sneering, scornful sort oflaugh, the lieutenant went into the colonel's tent; though, if heexpected to see Miss Ross, he was disappointed, for so long as I was onguard, she did not shew any more that night. 

Off again the next morning, and over a hotter and dustier road thanever; and I must say that I began to wish we were settled down inbarracks again, for everything seemed to grow more and more crooked, andpeople more and more unpleasant. Why, even Mrs Bantem that morningbefore starting must shew her teeth, and snub Lantern, and then begingoing on about the colonel's wife, and the fine madam, her sister, having all sorts of luxuries, while poor hard-working soldiers' wiveshad to bear all the burden and heat of the day; while, by way of windingup, she goes up to Harry Lant and Measles, who were, as usual, squabbling about something, and boxes both their ears, as if they hadbeen bad boys. I saw them both colour up fierce; but the next minuteHarry Lant bursts out laughing, and Measles does the same, and then theytwo did what I should think they never did before--they shook hands; butMrs Bantem had no sooner turned away with tears in her eyes, becauseshe felt so cross, than the two chaps fell out again about some stupidthing or another, and kept on snarling and snapping at each other allalong the march. 

But there, bless you! that wasn't all I saw Mrs Maine talking to hersister in a quick earnest sort of way, and they both seemed out ofsorts; and the colonel swore at the tent-men, and bullied the adjutant, and he came round and dropped on to us, finding fault with the men'sbelts, and that upset the sergeants. Then some of the baggage didn'tstart right, and Lieutenant Leigh had to be taken to task by CaptainDyer, as in duty bound; while, when at last we were starting, if therewasn't a tremendous outcry, and the young colonel--little Cock Robin, you know--kicking, and screaming, and fighting the old black nurse, because he mightn't draw his little sword, and march alongside of HarryLant!

Now, I'm very particular about putting all this down, because I want youto see how we all were one with the other, and how right through thebattalion little things made us out of sorts with one another, andhardly friendly enough to speak, so that the difference may strike you, and you may see in a stronger light the alteration and the behaviour ofpeople when trouble came. 

All the same, though, I don't think it's possible for anybody to make along march in India without getting out of temper. It's my belief thatthe grit does it, for you do have that terribly; and what with the heat, the dust, the thirst, the government boots, that always seem as if madenot to fit anybody, and the grit, I believe even a regiment allchaplains would forget their trade. 

Tramp, tramp, tramp, day after day, and nearly always over wide, dreary, dusty plains. Now we'd pass a few muddy paddy-fields, or come upon ariver, but not often; and I many a time used to laugh grimly to myself, as I thought what a very different place hot, dusty, dreary India was, to the glorious country I used to picture, all beautiful trees andflowers, and birds with dazzling plumage. There are bright placesthere, no doubt, but I never came across one, and my recollections ofIndia are none of the most cheery. 

But at last came the day when we were crossing a great wide-spreadplain, in the middle of which seemed to be a few houses, with somethingbright here and there shining in the sun; and as we marched on, thecluster of houses appeared to grow and grow, till we halted at last in amarket square of a good-sized town; and that night we were once more inbarracks. But, for my part, I was more gritty than ever; for now we didnot see the colonel's lady or her sister, though I may as well own thatthere was some one with them that I wanted to see more than either. 

They were all, of course, at the colonel's quarters, a fine old palaceof a place, with a court-yard, and a tank in the centre, and trees, anda flat roof, by the side of the great square; while on one side wasanother great rambling place, separated by a narrowish sort of alley, used for stores and hospital purposes; and on the other side, stillgoing along by the side of the great market square, was anotherbuilding, the very fellow to the colonel's quarters, but separated by anarrow footway, some ten feet wide, and this place was occupied by theofficers. 

Our barracks took up another side of the square; and on the others weremosques and flat-roofed buildings, and a sort of bazaar; while all roundstretched away, in narrow streets, the houses of what we men used tocall the niggers. Though, speaking for myself, I used to find them, when well treated, a nice, clean, gentle sort of people. I used to lookupon them as a big sort of children; in their white muslin and calico, and their simple ways of playing--like at living; and even now I haven'taltered my opinion of them in general, for the great burst of frenziedpassion that run through so many of them was just like a child'suncontrolled rage. 

Things were not long in settling down to the regular life: there was alittle drill of a morning, and then, the rest of the day, the heat tofight with, which seemed to take all the moisture out of our bodies, andmake us long for night. 

I did not get put on as sentry once at the colonel's quarters, but Iheard a little now and then from Mrs Bantem, who used to wash some ofMrs Maine's fine things, the black women doing everything else; andshe'd often have a good grumble about "her fine ladyship, " as she calledher, and she'd pity her children. She used to pick up a good deal ofinformation, though, and, taking a deal of interest as I did in MissRoss, I got to know that it seemed to be quite a settled thing betweenher and Captain Dyer; and Bantem, who got took on now as LieutenantLeigh's servant, used to tell his wife about how black those two wereone towards the other. 

And so the time went on in a quiet sleepy way, the men getting lazierevery day. There was nothing to stir us, only now and then we'd have agood laugh at Measles, who'd get one of his nasty fits on, and swear atall the officers round, saying he was as good as any of them, and thatif he had his rights he would have been made an officer before then. Harry Lant, too, used to do his bit to make time pass away a little lessdull, singing, telling stories, or getting up to some of his pranks withold _Nabob_, the elephant, making Chunder, the mahout, more mad thanever, for, no matter what he did or said, only let Harry make a sort ofqueer noise of his, and just like a great flesh-mountain, that elephantwould come. It didn't matter who was in the way: regiment at drill, officer, rajah, anybody, old _Nabob_ would come straight away to Harry, holding out his trunk for fruit, or putting it in Harry's breast, wherehe'd find some bread or biscuit; and then the great brute would smoothhim all over with his trunk, in a way that used to make Mrs Bantem say, that perhaps, after all, the natives weren't such fools as they looked, and that what they said about dead people going into animals' bodiesmight be true after all, for, if that great overgrown beast hadn't asoul of its own, and couldn't think, she didn't know nothing, so nowthen!

STORY ONE, CHAPTER SIX. 

But it was always the same; and though time was when I could havelaughed as merrily as did that little Jenny Wren of the colonel's atHarry's antics, I couldn't laugh now, because, it always seemed as ifthey were made an excuse to get Miss Ross and her maid out with thechildren. 

A party of jugglers, or dancing-girls, or a man or two with pipes andsnakes, were all very well; but I've known clever parties come round, and those I've named would hardly step out to look; and my heart, Isuppose it was, if it wasn't my mind, got very sore about that time, andI used to get looking as evil at Harry Lant as Lieutenant Leigh did atthe captain. 

But it was a dreary time that, after all, one from which we wereawakened in a sudden way, that startled us to a man. 

First of all, there came a sort of shadowy rumour that something waswrong with the men of a native regiment, something to do with theircaste; and before we had well realised that it was likely to be anythingserious, sharp and swift came one bit of news after another, that theBritish officers in the native regiments had been shot down--here, there, in all directions; and then we understood that what we had takenfor the flash of a solitary fire, was the firing of a big train, andthat there was a great mutiny in the land. And not, mind, the mutiny orriot of a mob of roughs, but of men drilled and disciplined by Britishofficers, with leaders of their own caste, all well armed and providedwith ammunition; and the talk round our mess when we heard all this was, How will it end?

I don't think there were many who did not realise the fact thatsomething awful was coming to pass. Measles grinned, he did, and saidthat there was going to be an end of British tyranny in India, and thatthe natives were only going to seize their own again; but the nextminute, although it was quite clean, he takes his piece out of the rack, cleans it thoroughly all over again, fixes the bayonet, feels the point, and then stands at the "present!"

"I think we can let 'em know what's what though, my lads, if they comehere, " he says, with a grim smile; when Mrs Bantem, whose breath seemedquite taken away before by the way he talked, jumped up quitehappy-like, laid her great hand upon his left side, and then, turning tous, she says: "It's beating strong. "

"What is?" says Bantem, looking puzzled. 

"Measles' heart, " says Mrs Bantem: "and I always knew it was in theright place. "

The next minute she gave Measles a slap on the back as echoed throughthe place, sending him staggering forward; but he only laughed and said:"Praise the saints, I ain't Bantem. "

There was a fine deal of excitement, though, now. The colonel seemed towake up, and with him every officer, for we expected not only news butorders every moment. Discipline, if I may say so, was buckled up tightwith the tongue in the last hole; provisions and water were got in;sentries doubled, and a strange feeling of distrust and fear came uponall, for we soon saw that the people of the place hung away from us, andthough, from such an inoffensive-looking lot as we had about us, theredidn't seem much to fear, yet there was no knowing what treachery wemight have to encounter, and as he had to think and act for othersbeside himself, Colonel Maine--God bless him--took every possibleprecaution against danger, then hidden, but which was likely to springinto sight at any moment. 

There were not many English residents at Begumbagh, but what there werecame into quarters directly; and the very next morning we learnedplainly enough that there was danger threatening our place by thebehaviour of the natives, who packed up their few things and filed outof the town as fast as they could, so that at noonday the market-placewas deserted, and, save the few we had in quarters, there was not ablack face to be seen. 

The next morning came without news; and I was orderly, and standingwaiting in the outer court close behind the colonel, who was holding asort of council of war with the officers, when a sentry up in thebroiling sun, on the roof, calls out that a horseman was coming; andbefore very long, covered with sweat and dust, an orderly dragoon dashesup, his horse all panting and blown, and then coming jingling andclanking in with those spurs and that sabre of his, he hands despatchesto the colonel. 

I hope I may be forgiven for what I thought then, but, as I watched hisruddy face, while he read those despatches, and saw it turn all of asickly, greeny white, I gave him the credit of being a coward; and I wasnot the only one who did so. We all knew that, like us, he had neverseen a shot fired in anger; and something like an angry feeling ofvexation came over me, I know, as I thought of what a fellow he would beto handle and risk the lives of the four hundred men under his chargethere at Begumbagh. 

"D'yer think I'd look like that?" says a voice close to my ear justthen. "D'yer think if I'd been made an officer, I'd ha' shewed thewhite-feather like that?" And turning round sharp, I saw it wasMeasles, who was standing sentry by the gateway; and he was sodisgusted, that he spat about in all directions, for he was a man whodidn't smoke, like any other Christian, but chewed his tobacco like asailor. 

"Dyer, " says the colonel, the next moment, and they closed up together, but close to where we two stood--"Dyer, " he says, "I never felt beforethat it would be hard to do my duty as a soldier; but, God help me, Ishall have to leave Annie and the children. " There were a couple oftears rolling down the poor fellow's cheeks as he spoke, and he tookCaptain Dyer's hand. 

"Look at him! Look there!" whispers Measles again; and I kicked outsharp behind, and hit him on the shin. "He's a pretty sort of a--"

He didn't say any more just then, for, like me, he was staggered by thechange that took place. 

I think I've said Colonel Maine was a little, easy-going, pudgy man, with a red face; but just then, as he stood holding Captain Dyer's hand, a change seemed to come over him; he dropped the hand he had held, tightened his sword-belt, and then took a step forward, to standthoughtful, with despatches in his left hand. It was then that I saw ina moment that I had wronged him, and I felt as if I could have gone downon the ground for him to have walked over me, for whatever he might havebeen in peace, easy-going, careless, and fond of idleness andgood-living--come time for action, there he was with the true Britishofficer flashing out of his face, his lips pinched, his eyes flashing, and a stern look upon his countenance that I had never seen before. 

"Now then!" I says in a whisper to Measles. I didn't say anythingelse, for he knew what I meant. "Now then--now then!"

"Well, " says Measles then, in a whisper, "I s'pose women and childrenwill bring the soft out of a man at a time like this; but, why I whatdid he mean by humbugging us like that!"

I should think Colonel Maine stood alone thoughtful and still in thatcourt-yard, with the sun beating down upon his muslin-coveredforage-cap, while you could slowly, and like a pendulum-beat, countthirty. It was a tremendously hot morning, with the sky a bright clearblue, and the shadows of a deep purply black cast down and cut as sharpas sharp. It was so still, too, that you could hear the whirring, whizzy noise of the cricket things, and now and then the champ, champ ofthe horse rattling his bit as he stood outside the gateway. It was astrange silence, that seemed to make itself felt; and then the colonelwoke into life, stuck those despatches into his sword-belt, gave anorder here, an order there, and the next minute--Tantaran-tantaran, _Tantaran-tantaran_, Tantaran-Tantaran, _Tantaran-tay_--the bugle wasringing out the assemblee, men were hurrying here and there, there wasthe trampling of feet, the court-yard was full of busy figures, shadowswere passing backwards and forwards, and the news was abroad that ourregiment was to form a flying column with another, and that we were offdirectly. 

Ay, but it was exciting, that getting ready, and the time went likemagic before we formed a hollow square, and the colonel said a few wordsto us, mounted as he was now, his voice firm as firm, except once, whenI saw him glance at an upper window, and then it trembled, but only foran instant. His words were not many; and to this day, when I think ofthe scene under that hot blue sky, they come ringing back; for it didnot seem to us that our old colonel was speaking, but a new man of adifferent mettle, though it was only that the right stuff had beensleeping in his breast, ready to be wakened by the bugle. 

"My lads, " he said, and to a man we all burst out into a ringing cheer, when he took off his cap, and waved it round--"My lads, this is a sharpcall, but I've been expecting it, and it has not found us asleep. Ithank you for the smart way in which you have answered it, for it shewsme that a little easy-going on my part in the piping times of peace hasnot been taken advantage of. My lads, these are stern times; and thisdespatch tells me of what will bring the honest British blood into everyface, and make every strong man take a firm gripe of his piece as helongs for the order to charge the mutinous traitors to their Queen, who, taking her pay, sworn to serve her, have turned, and in cold bloodbutchered their officers, slain women, and hacked to pieces innocentbabes. My lads, we are going against a horde of monsters; but I havebad news--you cannot all go--"

There was a murmur here. 

"That murmur is not meant, " he continued; "and I know it will beregretted when I explain myself. We have women here and children:mine--yours--and they must be protected, " (it was here that his voiceshook). "Captain Dyer's company will garrison the place till ourreturn, and to those men many of us leave all that is dear to us onearth. I have spoken. God save the Queen!"

How that place echoed with the hearty "Hurray!" that rung out; and thenit was, "Fours right. March!" and only our company held firm, while Idon't know whether I felt disappointed or pleased, till I happened tolook up at one of the windows, to see Mrs Maine and Miss Ross, withthose two poor little innocent children clapping their hands withdelight at seeing the soldiers march away; one of them, the little girl, with her white muslin and scarlet sash over her shoulder, being held upby Lizzy Green; and then I did know that I was not disappointed, butglad I was to stay. 

But to shew you how a man's heart changes about when it is blown by thehot breath of what you may call love, let me tell you that only half aminute later, I was disappointed again at not going; and dared I haveleft the ranks, I'd have run after the departing column, for I caughtHarry Lant looking up at that window, and I thought a handkerchief waswaved to him. 

Next minute, Captain Dyer calls out, "Form four-deep. Right face. March!" and he led us to the gateway, but only to halt us there, forMeasles, who was sentry, calls out something to him in a wild excitedway. 

"What do you want, man?" says Captain Dyer. 

"O sir, if you'll only let me exchange. 'Taint too late. Let me go, captain. "

"How dare you, sir!" says Captain Dyer sternly, though I could seeplainly enough it was only for discipline, for he was, I thought pleasedat Measles wanting to be in the thick of it. Then he shouts again toMeasles, "'Tention--present arms!" and Measles falls into his rightposition for a sentry when troops are marching past. "March!" says thecaptain again; and we marched into the market-place, and--all but thosetold off for sentries--we were dismissed; and Captain Dyer then stoodtalking earnestly to Lieutenant Leigh, for it had fallen out that theytwo, with a short company of eight-and-thirty rank and file, were tohave the guarding of the women and children left in quarters atBegumbagh. 

STORY ONE, CHAPTER SEVEN. 

It seemed to me that, for the time being, Lieutenant Leigh was too muchof a soldier to let private matters and personal feelings of enmityinterfere with duty; and those two stood talking together for a goodhalf-hour, when, having apparently made their plans, fatigue-partieswere ordered out; and what I remember then thinking was a wise move, thesoldiers' wives and children in quarters were brought into the oldpalace, since it was the only likely spot for putting into somethinglike a state of defence. 

I have called it a palace, and I suppose that a rajah did once live init, but, mind you, it was neither a very large nor a very grand place, being only a square of buildings, facing inward to a little court-yard, entered by a gateway, after the fashion of no end of buildings in theeast. 

Water we had in the tank, but provisions were brought in, and what sheepthere were. Fortunately, there was a good supply of hay, and that wegot in; but one thing we did not bargain for, and that was the companyof the great elephant, _Nabob_, he having been left behind. And whatdoes he do but come slowly up on those india-rubber cushion feet of his, and walk through the gateway, his back actually brushing against thetop; and then, once in, he goes quietly over to where the hay wasstacked, and coolly enough begins eating!

The men laughed, and some jokes were made about his taking up a deal ofroom, and I suppose, really, it was through Harry Lant that the greatbeast came in; but no more was said then, we all being so busy, and notone of us had the sense to see what a fearful strait that greatinoffensive animal might bring us to. 

I believe we all forgot about the heat that day as we worked on, slavingaway at things that, in an ordinary way, we should have expected to bedone by the niggers. Food, ammunition, wood, particularly planks, everything Captain Dyer thought likely to be of use; and soon abreastwork was made inside the gateway; such lower windows as lookedoutwards carefully nailed up, and loop-holed for a shot at the enemy, should any appear; and when night did come at last, peaceful and still, the old palace was turned into a regular little fort. 

We all knew that all this might be labour in vain, but all the same itseemed to be our duty to get the place into as good a state of defenceas we could, and under orders we did it. But, after all, we knew wellenough that if the mutineers should bring up a small field-piece, theycould knock the place about our ears in no time. Our hope, though, wasthat, at all events while our regiment was away, we might be unmolested, for, if the enemy came in any number, what could eight-and-thirty mendo, hampered as they were with half-a-dozen children, and twice as manywomen? Not that all the women were likely to hamper us, for there wasMrs Bantem, busy as a bee, working here, comforting there, helpingwomen to make themselves snug in different rooms; and once, as she camenear me, she gave me one of her tremendous slaps on the back, her eyestwinkling with pleasure, and the perspiration streaming down her facethe while. "Ike Smith, " she says, "this is something like, isn't it?But ask Captain Dyer to have that breastwork strengthened--there isn'thalf enough of it. Glad Bantem hasn't gone. But I say, only think ofthat poor woman! I saw her just now crying, fit to break her poorheart. "

"What poor woman?" I said, staring hard. 

"Why, the colonel's wife. Poor soul, it's pitiful to see her! it wentthrough me like a knife. --What! are you there, my pretties!" she cried, flumping down on the stones as the colonel's two little ones camerunning out. "Bless your pretty hearts, you'll come and say a word toold Mother Bantem, won't you?"

"What's everybody tying about?" says the little girl in her prattlingway. "I don't like people to ty. Has my ma been whipped, and AuntElsie been naughty?"

"Look, look!" cries the boy excitedly; "dere's old _Nabob_!" Andtoddling off, the next minute he was close to the great beast, hislittle sister running after him, to catch hold of his hand; and therethe little mites stood close to, and staring up at the great elephant, as he kept on amusing himself by twisting up a little hay in his trunk, and then lightly scattering it over his back, to get rid of the flies--for what nature could have been about to give him such a scrap of atail, I can't understand. He'd work it, and flip it about hard enough;but as to getting rid of a fly, it's my belief that if insects canlaugh, they laughed at it, as they watched him from where they werebuzzing about the stone walls and windows in the hot sunshine. 

The next minute, like a chorus, there came a scream from one of theupper windows, one from another, and a sort of howl from Mrs Bantem, and we all stood startled and staring, for what does Jenny Wren do, butin a staggering way, lift up her little brother for him to touch theelephant's trunk, and then she stood laughing and clapping her handswith delight, seeing no fear, bless her! as that long, soft trunk wasgently curled round the boy's waist, he was drawn out of his sister'sarms; and then the great beast stood swinging the child to and fro, nowup a little way, now down between his legs, and him crowing and laughingaway all the while, as if it was the best fun that could be. 

I believe we were all struck motionless; and it was like taking a handaway from my throat to let me breathe once more, when I saw the elephantgently drop the little fellow down on a heap of hay, but only for him toscramble up, and run forward shouting: "Now 'gain, now 'gain;" and, asif _Nabob_ understood his little prattling, half-tied tongue, he takeshim up again, and swings him, just as there was a regular rush made, andMrs Colonel, Miss Ross, Lizzy, and the captain and lieutenant came up. 

"For Heaven's sake, save the child!" cries Mrs Maine. --"Mr Leigh, pray, do something. "

Miss Ross did not speak, but she looked at Captain Dyer; and those twoyoung men both went at the elephant directly, to get the child away; butin an instant _Nabob_ wheeled round, just the same as a stubborn donkeywould at home with a lot of boys teasing it; and then, as they dodgedround his great carcass, he trumpeted fiercely, and began to shuffle offround the court. 

I went up too, and so did Mrs Bantem, brave as a lion; but the greatbeast only kept on making his loud snorting noise, and shuffled along, with the boy in his trunk, swinging him backwards and forwards; and itwas impossible to help thinking of what would be the consequence if theelephant should drop the little fellow, and then set on him one of hisgreat feet. 

It seemed as if nothing could be done, and once the idea--wild enoughtoo--rushed into my head that it would be advisable to get a rifle putto the great beast's ear, and fire, when Measles shouted out from wherehe was on guard, "Here's Chunder coming!" and, directly after, with hisopal eyeballs rolling, and his dark, treacherous-looking face seeming tome all wicked and pleased at what was going on, came the mahout, andsaid a few words to the elephant, which stopped directly, and went downupon its knees. Chunder then tried to take hold of the child, butsomehow that seemed to make the great beast furious, and getting upagain, he began to grunt and make a noise after the fashion of a greatpig, going on now faster round the court, and sending those who had cometo look, and who stood in his way, fleeing in all directions. 

Mrs Maine was half fainting, and, catching the little girl to herbreast, I saw her go down upon her knees and hide her face, expecting, no doubt, every moment, that the next one would be her boy's last; and, indeed, we were all alarmed now, for the more we tried to get the littlechap away, the fiercer the elephant grew; the only one who did not seemto mind being the boy himself though his sister now began to cry, and inher little artless way I heard her ask her mother if the naughtyelephant would eat Clivey. 

I've often thought since that if we'd been quiet, and left the beastalone, he would soon have set the child down; and I've often thoughttoo, that Mr Chunder could have got the boy away if he had liked, onlyhe did nothing but tease and irritate the elephant, which was not thebest of friends with him. But you will easily understand that there wasnot much time for thought then. 

I had been doing my best along with the others, and then stood thinkingwhat I could be at next, when I caught Lizzy Green's eye turned to me inan appealing, reproachful sort of way, that seemed to say as plainly ascould be: "Can't you do anything?" when all at once Measles shouts out:"'Arry, 'Arry!" and Harry Lant came up at the double, having been busycarrying arms out of the guard-room rack. 

It was at one and the same moment that Harry Lant saw what was wrong, and that a cold dull chill ran through me, for I saw Lizzy clasp herhands together in a sort of thankful way, and it seemed to me then, asHarry ran up to the elephant that he was always to be put before me, andthat I was nobody, and the sooner I was out of the way the better. 

All the same, though, I couldn't help admiring the way Harry ran up tothe great brute, and did what none of us could manage. I quite hatedhim, I know, but yet I was proud of my mate, as he went up and sayssomething to _Nabob_, and the elephant stands still. "Put him down, "says Harry, pointing to the ground; and the great flesh-mountain putsthe little fellow down. "Now then, " says Harry, to the honour of theladies, "pick him up again;" and in a twinkling the great thing whipsthe boy up once more. "Now, bring him up to the colonel's lady. " Well, if you'll believe me, if the great thing didn't follow Harry like alamb, and carry the child up to where, half fainting, knelt poor MrsMaine. "Now, put him down, " says Harry; and the next moment littleClive Maine--Cock Robin, as we called him--was being hugged to hismother's breast. "Now go down on your knees, and beg the ladies'pardon, " says Harry laughing. Down goes the elephant, and stops there, making a queer chuntering noise the while. "Says he's very sorry, ma'am, and won't do so no more, " says Harry, serious as a judge; and ina moment, half laughing, half crying, Mrs Maine caught hold of Harry'shand, and kissed it, and then held it for a moment to her breast sobbinghysterically as she did so. 

"God bless you! You're a good man, " she cried; and then she broke downaltogether; and Miss Ross, and Mrs Bantem, and Lizzy got round her, andhelped her in. 

I could see that Harry was touched, for one of his lips shook; but hetried to keep up the fun of the thing; and turning to the elephant, hesays out loud: "Now, get up, and go back to the hay; and don't you comeno more of those games, that's all. "

The elephant got up directly, making a grunting noise as he did so. 

"Why not?" says Harry, making-believe that that was what the great beastsaid. "Because, if you do, I'll smash you. There!"

Officers and men, they all burst out laughing, to see little HarryLant--a chap so little that he wouldn't have been in the regiment onlythat men were scarce, and the standard was very low when he listed--tosee him standing shaking his fist at the great monster, one of whoselegs was bigger than Harry altogether--stand shaking his fist in itsface, and then take hold of the soft trunk and lead him away. 

Perhaps I did, perhaps I didn't, but I thought I caught sight of aglance passing between Lizzy Green, now at one window, and Harry, leading off the elephant; but all the same I felt that jealous of him, and to hate him so that I could have quarrelled with him about nothing. It seemed as if he was always to come before me. 

And I wasn't the only one jealous of Harry, for no sooner was the courtpretty well empty, than he came slowly up towards me, in spite of mysour black looks, which he wouldn't notice; but before he could get tome, Chunder Chow, the mahout, goes up to the elephant, muttering andspiteful-like, with his hook-spear thing, that mahouts use to drivewith; and being, I suppose, put out, and jealous, and annoyed at hisauthority being taken away, and another man doing what he couldn't, hegives the elephant a kick in the leg, and then hits him viciously withhis iron hook thing. 

Well! Bless you! it didn't take an instant, and it seemed to me thatthe elephant only gave that trunk of his a gentle swing againstChunder's side, and he was a couple of yards off, rolling over and overin the hay scattered about. 

Up he jumps, wild as wild; and the first thing he catches sight of isHarry laughing fit to crack his sides, when Chunder rushes at him like amad bull. 

I suppose he expected to see Harry turn tail and run; but that being oneof those things not included in drill, and a British soldier having agood deal of the machine about him, Harry stands fast, and Chunder pullsup short, grinning rolling his eyes, and twisting his hands about, justfor all the world like as if he was robbing a hen-roost, and wringingall the chickens' necks. 

"Didn't hurt much, did it, blacky?" says Harry coolly. But the mahoutcouldn't speak for rage; and he kept spitting on the ground, and makingsigns, till really his face was anything but pretty to look at. Andthere he kept on, till, from laughing, Harry turned a bit nasty, forthere was some one looking out of a window; and from being half-amusedat what was going on, I once more felt all cold and bitter. But Harryfires up now, and makes towards Mr Chunder, who begins to retreat; andsays Harry: "Now I tell you what it is, young man; I never did you anyill turn; and if I choose to have a bit of fun with the elephant, it'sgovernment property, and as much mine as yours. But look ye here--ifyou come cussing, and spitting, and swearing at me again in your nastyheathen dialect, why, if I don't--No, " he says, stopping short, andhalf-turning to me, "I can't black his eyes, Isaac, for they're blackenough already; but let him come any more of it, and, jiggermaree, if Idon't bung 'em!"

STORY ONE, CHAPTER EIGHT. 

Chunder didn't like the looks of Harry, I suppose, so he walked off, turning once to spit and curse, like that turncoat chap, Shimei, thatyou read of in the Bible; and we two walked off together towards ourquarters. 

"I ain't going to stand any of his nonsense, " says Harry. 

"It's bad making enemies now, Harry, " I said gruffly. And just then upcomes Measles, who had been relieved, for his spell was up now; andanother party were on, else he would have had to be in the guard-room. 

"There never was such an unlucky beggar as me, " says Measles. "If achance does turn up for earning a bit promotion, it's always some oneelse gets it. Come on, lads, and let's see what Mother Bantem's got inthe pot. "

"You'll perhaps have a chance before long of earning your bit ofpromotion without going out, " I says. 

"Ike Smith's turned prophet and croaker in ornary, " says Harry, laughing. "I believe he expects we're going to have a new siege ofSeringapatam here, only back'ards way on. "

"Only wish some of 'em would come this way, " says Measles grimly; and hemade a sort of offer, and a hit out at some imaginary enemy. 

"Here they are, " says Joe Bantem, as we walked in. "Curry for dinner, lads--look alive. "

"What, my little hero!" says Mrs Bantem, fetching Harry one of herslaps on the back. "My word, you're in fine plume with the colonel'slady. "

Slap came her hand down again on Harry's back; and as soon as he couldget wind: "Oh, I say, don't, " says Harry. "Thank goodness, I ain't amarried man. --Is she often as affectionate as this with you, Joe?"

Joe Bantem laughed; and soon after we were all making, in spite ofthreatened trouble and disappointment, an uncommonly hearty dinner, for, if there ever was a woman who could make a good curry, it was MrsBantem; and many's the cold winter's day I've stood in Facet's doorthere in Bond Street, and longed for a plateful. Pearls stewed insunshine, Harry Lant used to call it; and really to see the beautiful, glistening, white rice, every grain tender as tender, and yet dry andready to roll away from the others--none of your mesh-posh rice, if MrsBantem boiled it--and then the rich golden curry itself: there, I'veknown that woman turn one of the toughest old native cocks into whatyou'd have sworn was a delicate young Dorking chick--that is, so long asyou didn't get hold of a drumstick, which perhaps would be a bit ropey. That woman was a regular blessing to our mess, and we fellows said so, many a time. 

One, two, three days passed without any news, and we in our quarterswere quiet as if thousands of miles from the rest of the world. Thetown kept as deserted as ever, and it seemed almost startling to me whenI was posted sentry on the roof, after looking out over the wide, sandy, dusty plain, over which the sunshine was quivering and dancing, to peerdown amongst the little ramshackle native huts without a sign of lifeamongst them, and it took but little thought for me to come to theconclusion that the natives knew of something terrible about to happen, and had made that their reason for going away. Though, all the same, itmight have been from dread lest we should seek to visit upon them andtheirs the horrors that had elsewhere befallen the British. 

I used often to think, too, that Captain Dyer had some such feelings asmine, for he looked very, very serious and anxious, and he'd spend hourson the roof with his glass, Miss Ross often being by his side, whileLieutenant Leigh used to watch them in a strange way, when he thought noone was observing him. 

I've often thought that when people are touched with that queercomplaint folks call love, they get into a curious half-delirious way, that makes them fancy that people are nearly blind, and have their eyesshut to what they do or say. I fancy there was something of this kindwith Miss Ross, and I'm sure there was with me when I used to go hangingabout, trying to get a word with Lizzy; and, of course, shut up as weall were then, often having the chance, but getting seldom anything buta few cold answers, and a sort of show of fear of me whenever I was nearto her. 

But what troubled me as much as anything was the behaviour of the fourIndians we had shut up with us--Chunder Chow, the old black nurse, andtwo more--for they grew more uppish and bounceable every day, refusingto work, until Captain Dyer had one of the men tied up to the trianglesand flogged down in a great cellar or vault-place that there was underthe north end of the palace, so that the ladies and women shouldn't hearhis cries. He deserved all he got, as I can answer for, and that madethe rest a little more civil, but not for long and, just the day beforesomething happened, I took the liberty of saluting Captain Dyer, afterhe had been giving me some orders, and took that chance of speaking mymind. 

"Captain, " I says, "I don't think those black folks are to be trusted. "

"Neither do I, Smith, " he says. "But what have you to tell me?"

"Nothing at all, captain, only that I have my eye on them; and I've beenthinking that they must somehow or another have held communicationoutside; and I don't like it, for those people don't get what we callcheeky without cause. "

"Keep both eyes on them then, Smith, " says Captain Dyer, smiling, "and, no matter what it is--if it is the most trivial thing in any wayconnected with them, report it. "

"I will, sir, " I says; and the very next day, much against the grain, Idid have something to report. 

STORY ONE, CHAPTER NINE. 

The next morning was hotter, I think, than ever, with no prospect eitherof rain or change; and, after doing what little work I had to get over, it struck me that I might as well attend to what Captain Dyer advised--give two eyes to Chunder and his friends; so I left Mrs Bantem busyover her cooking, and went down into the court. 

All below was as still as death--sunshine here, shadow there, but, through one of the windows, open to catch the least breeze that might beon the way, and taking in instead the hot, sultry air, came now and thenthe silvery laughter of the children--that pleasant cheery sound thatmakes the most rugged old face grow a trifle smoother. 

I looked here, and I looked there, but could only see old _Nabob_amusing himself with the hay, a sentry on the roof to the east, andanother on the roof to the west, and one in the gateway, broilingalmost, all of them, with the heat. 

The ladies and the children were seldom seen now, for they were introuble; and Mrs Maine was worn almost to skin and bone with anxiety, as she sat waiting for tidings of the expedition. 

Not knowing what to do with myself I sauntered along by where there wasa slip of shade, and entered the south side of the palace--an oldhalf-ruinous part; and after going first into one, and then into anotherof the bare empty rooms, I picked out what seemed to be the coolestcorner I could find, sat down with my back propped against the wall, filled and lit my pipe, and then putting things together in my mind, thoroughly enjoyed a good smoke. 

There was something wonderfully soothing in that bit of tobacco, and itappeared to me cooling, comforting, and to make my bit of a love-affairseem not so bad as it was. So, on the strength of that, I refilled, andwas about halfway through another pipe, when things began to grow verydim round about me, and I was wandering about in my dreams, and noddingthat head of mine in the most curious and wild way you can think of. What I dreamed about most was about getting married to Lizzy Green; andin what must have been a very short space, that event was coming off atleast half-a-dozen times over, only _Nabob_, the elephant, would come inat an awkward time and put a stop to it. But at last, in my dreamyfashion, it seemed to me that matters were smoothed over, and heconsented to put down the child, and, flapping his ears, promised he'dsay yes. But in my stupid, confused muddle, I thought that he'd nosooner put down the child with his trunk than he wheeled round and tookhim up with his tail; and so on, backwards and forwards, when, gettingquite out of patience, I caught Lizzy's hand in mine, saying: "Nevermind the elephant--let's have it over;" and she gave a sharp scream. 

I jumped to my feet, biting off, half swallowing a bit of pipe-shank asI did so, and then stood drenched with perspiration, listening to ascuffling noise in the next room; when, shaking off the stupid confusedfeeling, I ran towards the door just as another scream--not a loud, buta faint excited scream--rang in my ears, and the next moment Lizzy Greenwas sobbing and crying in my arms, and that black thief Chunder wascrawling on his hands and knees to the door, where he got up, holdinghis fist to his mouth, and then he turned upon me such a look as I havenever forgotten. 

I don't wonder at the people of old painting devils with black faces, for I don't know anything more devilish-looking than a black's phiz whenit is drawn with rage, and the eyes are rolling about, now all blackflash, now all white, while the grinning ivories below seem to begrinding and ready to tear you in pieces. 

It was after that fashion that Chunder looked at me as he turned at thedoor; but I was then only thinking of the trembling, frightened girl Iheld in my arms, trying at the same time to whisper a few gentle words, while I had hard work to keep from pressing my lips to her whiteforehead. 

But the next minute she disengaged herself from my grasp, and held outher little white hand to me, thanking me as sweetly as thanks could begiven. 

"Perhaps you had better not say a word about it, " she whispered. "He'scome under pretence of seeing the nurse, and been rude to me once ortwice before. I came here to sit at that window with my work, and didnot see him come behind me. "

I started as she spoke about that open window, for it looked out uponthe spot where I sometimes stood sentry; but then, Harry Lant sometimesstood just in the same place, and I don't know whether it was a strangeimpression caused by his coming, that made me think of him, but justthen there were footsteps, and, with his pipe in his mouth, andfatigue-jacket all unbuttoned, Harry entered the room. 

"Beg pardon; didn't know it was engaged, " he says lightly, as he steppedback; and then he stopped, for Lizzy called to him by his name. 

"Please walk back with me to Mrs Maine's quarters, " she said softly;and once more holding her hand out to me, with her eyes cast down, shethanked me; and the question I had been asking myself--Did she loveHarry Lant better than me?--was to my mind answered, and I gave a groanas I saw them walk off together, for it struck me then that they hadengaged to meet in that room, only Harry Lant was late. 

"Never mind, " I says to myself; "I've done a comrade a good turn. " Andthen I thought more and more of there being a feeling in the blacks'minds that their hour was coming, or that ill-looking scoundrel wouldnever have dared to insult a white woman in open day. 

Ten minutes after, I was on my way to Captain Dyer, for, in spite ofwhat Lizzy had said, I felt that, being under orders, it was my duty toreport all that occurred with the blacks; for we might at any time havebeen under siege, and to have had unknown and treacherous enemies in thecamp would have been ruin indeed. 

"Well, Smith, " he said, smiling as I entered and saluted, "what news ofthe enemy?"

"Not much, sir, " I said; what I had to tell, going, as I have beforesaid, very much against the grain. "I was in one of the empty rooms onthe south side, when I heard a scream, and running up, I found it wasMiss Ross. "

"What!" he roared, in a voice that would have startled a stronger manthan I. 

"Miss Ross's maid, sir, with that black fellow Chunder, the mahout, trying to kiss her. "

"Well!" he said, with a black angry look overspreading his face. 

"Well, sir, " I said, feeling quite red as I spoke, "he kissed my fistinstead--that's all. "

Captain Dyer began to walk up and down, playing with one of the buttonson his breast as was his way when eager and excited. 

"Now, Smith, " he said at last, stopping short before me, "what does thatmean?"

"Mean, sir?" I said, feeling quite as excited as himself. "Well, sir, if you ask me, I say that if it was in time of peace and quiet, it wouldonly mean that it was a bit of his black--I beg your pardon, captain, " Isays, stopping short, for, you see, it was quite time. 

"Go on, Smith, " he said quietly. 

"His black impudence, sir. "

"But, as it is not in time of peace and quiet, Smith?" he said, lookingme through and through. 

"Well, sir, " I said, "I don't want to croak, nor for other people tobelieve what I say; but it seems to me that that black fellow's kickingout of the ranks means a good deal; and I take it that he is excitedwith the news that he has somehow got hold of--news that is getting intohis head like so much green 'rack. I've thought of it some little timenow, sir; and--it strikes me that if, instead of our short company beingEnglishmen, they were all Chunder Chows, before to-morrow morning, begging your pardon, Captain Dyer and Lieutenant Leigh would have said`Right wheel' for the last time. "

"And the women and children!" he muttered softly: but I heard him. 

He did not speak then for quite half a minute, when he turned to me witha pleasant smile. 

"But you see, though, Smith, " he said, "our short company is made up ofdifferent stuff; and therefore there's some hope for us yet; but--Ah, Leigh, did you hear what he said?"

"Yes, " said the lieutenant, who had been standing at the door for a fewmoments, scowling at us both. 

"Well, what do you think?" said Captain Dyer. 

"Think?" said Lieutenant Leigh contemptuously, as he turnedaway--"nothing!"

"But, " said Captain Dyer quietly, "really I think there is much truth inwhat he, an observant man, says. "

There was a challenge from the roof just then; and we all went out tofind that a mounted man was in sight; and on the captain making use ofhis glass, I heard him tell Lieutenant Leigh that it was an orderlydragoon. 

A few minutes after, it was plain enough to everybody; and soon, man andhorse dead beat, the orderly with a despatch trotted into the court. 

It was a sight worth seeing, to look upon Mrs Maine clutching at theletter enclosed for her in Captain Dyer's despatch. Poor woman! it wasa treasure to her--one that made her pant as she hurriedly snatched itfrom the captain's hand, for all formality was forgotten in those days;and then she hurried away to where her sister was waiting to hear thenews. 

STORY ONE, CHAPTER TEN. 

The orderly took back a despatch from Captain Dyer, starting at daybreakthe next morning; but before then, we all knew that matters were gettingto wear a terrible aspect. At first, I had been disposed to think thatthe orderly was romancing, and giving us a few travellers' tales; but Isoon found out that he was in earnest; and more than once I felt ashiver as he sat with our mess, telling us of how regiment afterregiment had mutinied and murdered their officers; how station afterstation had been plundered, collectors butchered, and their wives anddaughters sometimes cut down, sometimes carried off by the wretches, whohad made a sport of throwing infants from one to the other on theirbayonets. 

"I never had any children, " sobbed Mrs Bantem then; "and I never wishedto have any; for they're not right for soldiers' wives; but only tothink--the poor sweet, suffering little things. Oh, if I'd only been aman, and been there!"

We none of us said anything; but I believe all thought as I did, that ifMrs Bantem had been there, she'd have done as much--ah, perhaps more--than some men would have done. Often, since then, as I think of it, andrecall it from the bygone, there I can see Mother Bantem--though why wecalled her mother, I don't know, unless it was because she was like amother to us--with her great strapping form; and think of the way inwhich she--

Halt! Retire by fours from the left. 

Just in time; for I find handling my pen's like handling acommander-in-chief's staff and that I've got letters which make words, which make phrases, which make sentences, which make paragraphs, whichmake chapters, which make up the whole story: and that is for all theworld like the army with its privates made into companies, andbattalions, and regiments, and brigades. Well, there you are: if youdon't have discipline, and every private in his right place, where areyou? Just so with me; my words were coming out in the wrong places, andin another minute I should have spoiled my story, by letting you knowwhat was coming at the wrong time. 

Well, we all felt very deeply the news brought in by that orderly, forsoldiers are not such harum-scarum roughs as some people seem toimagine. For the most part, they're men with the same feelings ascivilians; and I don't think many of us slept very sound that night, feeling as we did what a charge we had, and that we might be attacked atany time; and a good deal of my anxiety was on account of Lizzy Green;for even if she wouldn't be my wife, but Harry Lant's, I could not helptaking a wonderful deal of interest in her. 

But all the same it was a terribly awkward time, as you must own, forfalling in love; and I don't know hardly whom I pitied most, CaptainDyer or myself; but think I had more leanings towards number one, because Captain Dyer was happy; though, perhaps, I might have been; onlylike lots more hot sighing noodles, I never once thought of asking thegirl if she'd have me. As for Lieutenant Leigh, I never once thought ofgiving him a bit of pity, for I did not think he deserved it. 

Well, the trooper started off at daybreak, so as to get well on hisjourney in the early morning; and about an hour after he was gone, I hada fancy to go into the old ruined room again, where there was the bit ofa scene I've told you of. My orders from Captain Dyer were, to watchChunder strictly, both as to seeing that he did not again insult any ofthe women, and also to see if he had any little game of his own that hewas playing on the sly; for though Lieutenant Leigh, on being told, pooh-poohed it all, and advised a flogging, Captain Dyer had hissuspicions--stronger ones, it seemed, than mine; and hence my orders andmy being excused from mounting guard. 

It was all very still, and cool, and quiet as I walked from room toroom, slowly and thoughtfully, stopping to pick up my broken pipe, whichlay where I had dropped it; and then going on into the next room, where, under the window, lay the bit of cotton cobweb and cat's-cradle workLizzy had been doing, and had left behind. I gave a bit of a gulp as Ipicked that up, and I was tucking it inside my jacket when I stoppedshort, for I thought I heard a whisper. 

I listened, and there it was again--a low, earnest whispering of firstone and then another voice in the next room, whose wide broken doorwaystood open, for there wasn't a bit of woodwork left. 

I have heard about people saying, that in some great surprise or fright, their hearts stood still; but I don't believe it, because it alwaysstrikes me that when a person's heart does stand still, it never goes onagain. All the same, though, my heart felt then as if it did standstill with the dead, dull, miserable feeling that came upon me. Only tothink that on this, the second time I had come through these ruinedrooms, and they were here again! It was plain enough Harry Lant andLizzy made this their meeting-place, and only they knew how many timesthey'd met before. 

Time back, I could have laughed at the idea of me, a great strappingfellow, feeling as I did; but now I felt very wretched; and as I thoughtof Harry Lant kissing those bright red lips, and looking into those deepdark eyes, and being let pass his hand over the glossy hair, with theprospect of some day calling it all his own, I did not burn all overwith a mad rage and passion, but it was like a great grief coming uponme, so that, if it hadn't been for being a man, I could have sat downand cried. 

I should think ten minutes passed, and the whispering still went on, when I said to myself: "Be a man, Isaac; if she likes him better, hasn'tshe a right to her pick?" But still I felt very miserable as I turnedto go away, when a something, said a little louder than the rest, stopped me. 

"That ain't English, " I says to myself. "What! surely she's notlistening to that black scoundrel?"

I was red-hot then in a moment; and as to thinking whether this or thatwas straightforward, or whether I was playing the spy, or anything ofthat sort, such an idea never came into my head. Chunder was evidentlytalking to Lizzy Green in that room; and for a few seconds I felt blindwith a sort of jealous savage rage--against her, mind, now; and going ontip-toe, I looked round the doorway, so as to see as well as hear. 

I was back in an instant with a fresh set of sensations busy in mybreast. It was Chunder, but he was alone; there was no Lizzy there; andI don't know whether my heart beat then for joy at knowing it, or forshame at myself for having thought such a thing of her. 

What did it mean, then?

I did not have to ask myself the question twice, for the answer came--Treachery! And stealing to the slit of window in the room I was in, Ipeeped cautiously out in time to see Chunder throwing out what lookedlike a white packet. I could see his arm move as he threw it down to aman in a turban--a dark wiry-looking rascal; and in those few seconds Iseemed to read that packet word for word, though no doubt the writingwas in one of the native dialects, and my reading of it was, that it wasa correct list of the defenders of the place, the women and children, and what arms and ammunition there were stored up. 

It was all plain enough, and the villain was sending it by a man whomust have brought him tidings of some kind. 

What was I to do? That man ought to be stopped at all hazards; and whatI ought to have done was to steal back, give the alarm, and let a partygo round to try and cut him off. 

That's what I ought to have done; but I never did have much judgment. 

Now for what I did do. 

Slipping back from the window, I went cautiously to the doorway, andentered the old room where Chunder was standing at the window; and Iwent in so quietly, and he was so intent, that I had crept close, andwas in the act of leaping on to him before he turned round and tried toavoid me. 

He was too late, though, for with a bound I was on him, pinioning hishands, and holding him down on the window-sill, with his head half out, as bearing down upon him, I leaned out as far as I could, yelling out:"Sentry in the next roof, mark man below. Stop him, or fire. "

The black fellow below drew a long, awkward-looking pistol, and aimed atme, but only for a moment. Perhaps he was afraid of killing Chunder, for the next instant he had stuck the pistol back in his calico belt, and, with head stooped, was running as hard as he could run, when Icould hardly contain myself for rage, knowing as I did how important itwas for him to have been stopped. 

"Bang!"

A sharp report from the roof, and the fellow made a bound. 

Was he hit?

No: he only seemed to run the faster. 

"Bang!"

Another report as the runner came in sight of the second sentry. 

But I saw no more, for all my time was taken up with Chunder; for as thesecond shot rang out, he gave a heave, and nearly sent me through theopen window. 

It was by a miracle almost that I saved myself from breaking my neck, for it was a good height from the ground; but I held on to him tightlywith a clutch such as he never had on his arms and neck before; andthen, with a strength for which I shouldn't have given him credit, hetussled with me, now tugging to get away, now to throw me from thewindow, his hot breath beating all the time upon my cheeks, and histeeth grinning, and eyes rolling savagely. 

It was only a spurt, though, and I soon got the better of him. 

I don't want to boast, but I suppose our cold northern bone and muscleare tougher and stronger than theirs; and at the end of five minutes, puffing and blown, I was sitting on his chest, taking a paper frominside his calico. 

That laid me open; for, like a flash, I saw then that he had a knife inone hand, while before another thought could pass through my mind, itwas sticking through my jacket and the skin of my ribs, and my fist wasdriven down against his mouth for him to kiss for the second time in hislife. 

Next minute, Captain Dyer and a dozen men were in the room, Chunder washandcuffed and marched off, and the captain was eagerly questioning me. 

"But is that fellow shot down or taken--the one outside?" I asked. 

"Neither, " said Captain Dyer; "and it is too late now: he has got farenough away. "

Then I told him what I had seen, and he looked at the packet, his browknitting as he tried to make it out. 

"I ought to have come round, and given, the alarm, captain, " I saidbitterly. 

"Yes, my good fellow, you ought, " he said; "and I ought to have had thatblack scoundrel under lock and key days ago. But it is too late now totalk of what ought to have been done; we must talk of what there is todo. --But are you hurt?"

"He sent his knife through my jacket, sir, " I said, "but it's only ascratch on the skin;" and fortunately that's what it proved to be, forwe had no room for wounded men. 

STORY ONE, CHAPTER ELEVEN. 

An hour of council, and then another--our two leaders not seeming toagree as to the extent of the coming danger. Challenge from the westroof: "Orderly in sight. "

Sure enough, a man on horseback riding very slowly, and as if his horsewas dead beat. 

"Surely it isn't that poor fellow come back, because his horse hasfailed? He ought to have walked on, " said Captain Dyer. 

"Same man, " said Lieutenant Leigh, looking through his glass; and beforevery long, the poor fellow who had gone away at daybreak rode slowly upto the gate, was admitted, and then had to be helped from his horse, giving a great sobbing groan as it was done. 

"In here, quick!" I said, for I thought I heard the ladies' voices; andwe carried him in to where Mrs Bantem was, as usual, getting ready fordinner, and there we laid him on a mattress. 

"Despatches, captain, " he says, holding up the captain's letter toColonel Maine. "They didn't get that. They were too many for me. Idropped one, though, with my pistol, and cut my way through the others. "

As he spoke, I untwisted his leather sword-knot, which was cutting intohis wrist, for his hacked and blood-stained sabre was hanging from hishand. 

"Wouldn't go back into the scabbard, " he said faintly; and then with aharsh gasp: Water--water!

He revived then a bit; and as Captain Dyer and Mrs Bantem between themwere attending to, and binding up his wounds, he told us how he had beenset upon ten miles off, and been obliged to fight his way back; and, poor chap, he had fought; for there were no less than ten lance-woundsin his arms, thighs, and chest, from a slight prick up to a horriblegash, deep and long enough, it seemed to me, to let out half-a-dozenpoor fellows' souls. 

Just in the middle of it, I saw Captain Dyer start and look strange, forthere was a shadow came across where we were kneeling; and the nextinstant he was standing between Miss Ross and the wounded man. 

"Pray, go, dear Elsie; this is no place for you, " I heard him whisper toher. 

"Indeed, Lawrence, " she whispered, "am I not a soldier's daughter? Iought to say this is no place for you. Go, and make your arrangementsfor our defence. "

I don't think any one but me saw the look of love she gave him as shetook sponge and lint from his hand, pressing it as she did so, and thenher pale face lit up with a smile as she met his eyes; the next momentshe was kneeling by the wounded trooper, and in a quiet firm way helpingMrs Bantem, in a manner that made her, poor woman, stare withastonishment. 

"God bless you, my darling, " she whispered to her, as soon as they haddone, and the poor fellow was lying still--a toss-up with him whether itshould be death or life; and I saw Mrs Bantem take Miss Ross's softwhite hand between her two great rough hard palms, and kiss it justonce. 

"And I'd always been abusing and running her down for a fine madam, goodfor nothing but to squeak songs, and be looked at, " Mrs Bantem said tome, a little while after. "Why, Isaac Smith, we shall be having thatlittle maid shewing next that there's something in her. "

"And why not?" I said gruffly. 

"Ah, to be sure, " says she, with a comical look out of one eye; "whynot? But, Isaac, my lad, " she said sadly, and looking at me veryearnestly, "I'm afraid there's sore times coming; and if so, God inheaven help those poor bairns! Oh, if I'd been a man, and been there!"she cried, as she recollected what the trooper had told us; and sheshook her fist fiercely in the air. "It's what I always did say:soldiers' wives have no business to have children; and it's rank crueltyto the poor little things to bring them into the world. "

Mrs Bantem then went off to see to her patient, while I walked into thecourt, wondering what would come next, and whether, in spite of all thelittle bitternesses and grumbling, everybody, now some of the sternrealities of life were coming upon us, would shew up the bright side ofhis or her nature and somehow I got very hopeful that they would. 

I felt just then that I should have much liked to have a few words withLizzy Green, but I had no chance, for it was a busy time with us. Captain Dyer felt strongly enough his responsibility, and not a minutedid he lose in doing all he could for our defence; so that after ananxious day, with nothing more occurring, when I looked round at whathad been done in barricading and so on, it seemed to me, speaking as asoldier, that, as far as I could judge, there was nothing more to bedone, though still the feeling would come home to me that it was a greatplace for forty men to defend, if attacked by any number. Captain Dyermust have seen that, for he had arranged to have a sort of citadel atthe north end by the gateway, and this was to be the last refuge, whereall the ammunition and food and no end of chatties of water were stoweddown in the great vault-place, which went under this part of thebuilding and a good deal of the court. Then the watch was set, trebledthis time, on roof and at window, and we waited impatiently for themorning. Yes, we all of us, I believe, waited impatiently for themorning, when I think if we had known all that was to come, we shouldhave knelt down and prayed for the darkness to keep on hour after hour, for days, and weeks, and months, sooner than the morning should havebroke as it did upon a rabble of black faces, some over white clothes, some over the British uniform that they had disgraced; and as I, who wason the west roof, heard the first hum of their coming, and caught thefirst glimpse of the ragged column, I gave the alarm, setting my teethhard as I did so; for, after many years of soldiering, I was now for thefirst time to see a little war in earnest. 

Captain Dyer's first act on the alarm being given was to double theguard over the three blacks, now secured in the strongest room he couldfind, the black nurse being well looked after by the women. Then, quickalmost as thought, every man was at the post already assigned to him;the women and children were brought into the corner rooms by the gates, and then we waited excitedly for what should follow. The captain nowordered me out of the little party under a sergeant, and made me hisorderly, and so it happened that always being with or about him, I knewhow matters were going on, and was always carrying the orders, now toLieutenant Leigh, now to this sergeant or that corporal; but at thefirst offset of the defence of the old place, there was a disputebetween captain and lieutenant; and I'm afraid it was maintained by thelast out of obstinacy, and just at a time when there should have beennothing but pulling together for the sake of all concerned. I must say, though, that there was right on both sides. 

Lieutenant Leigh put it forward as his opinion that short of men as wewere, it was folly to keep four enemies under the same roof, who werelikely at any time to overpower the one or two sentries placed overthem; while, if there was nothing to fear in that way, there was stillthe necessity of shortening our defensive forces by a couple of valuablemen. 

"What would you do with them, then?" said Captain Dyer. 

"Set them at liberty, " said Lieutenant Leigh. 

"I grant all you say, in the first place, " said the captain; "but ourretaining them is a sheer necessity. "

"Why?" said Lieutenant Leigh, with a sneer; and I must say that at firstI held with him. 

"Because, " said the captain sternly, "if we set them at liberty, weincrease our enemies' power, not merely with three men, but withscoundrels who can give them the fullest information of our defences, over and above that of which I am afraid they are already possessed. The matter will not bear further discussion--Lieutenant Leigh, go now toyour post, and do your duty to the best of your power. "

Lieutenant Leigh did not like this, and he frowned but Captain Dyer washis superior officer, and it was his duty to obey, so of course he did. 

Now, our position was such, that, say, a hundred men with a field-piececould have knocked a wing in, and then carried us by assault with ease;but though our enemies were full two hundred and fifty, and many of themdrilled soldiers, pieces you may say of a great machine, fortunately forus, there was no one to put that machine together, and set it in motion. We soon found that out, for, instead of making the best of things, andtaking possession of buildings--sheds and huts--here and there, fromwhich to annoy us, they came up in a mob to the gate, and one fellow ona horse--a native chief, he seemed to be--gave his sword a wave, andhalf-a-dozen sowars round him did the same, and then they called to usto surrender. 

Captain Dyer's orders were to act entirely on the defensive, and to fireno shot till we had the word, leaving them to commence hostilities. 

"For, " said he, speaking to all the men, "it may be a cowardly policywith such a mutinous set in front of us, but we have the women andchildren to think of; therefore, our duty is to hold the foe at bay, andwhen we do fire, to make every shot tell. Beating them off is, I fear, impossible, but we may keep them out till help comes. "

"Wouldn't it be advisable, sir, try and send off another despatch?" Isaid; "there's the trooper's horse. "

"Where?" said Captain Dyer, with a smile. "That has already beenthought of Smith; and Sergeant Jones, the only good horseman we have, went off at two o'clock, and by this time is, I hope, out of danger. --Good heavens! what does that mean?" he said, using his glass. 

It was curious that I should have thought of such a thing just then, ata time when four sowars led up Sergeant Jones tied by a piece of rope toone of their saddle-bows, while the trooper's horse was behind. 

Captain Dyer would not shew, though, that he was put out by the failureof that hope: he only passed the word for the men to stand firm, andthen sent me with a message to Mrs Colonel Maine, requesting that everyone should keep right away from the windows, as the enemy might openfire at any time. 

He was quite right, for just as I knocked at Mrs Maine's door, aregular squandering, scattering fire began, and you could hear thebullets striking the wall with a sharp pat, bringing down showers ofwhite lime-dust and powdered stone. 

I found Mrs Maine seated on the floor with her children, pale andtrembling, the little things the while laughing and playing over somepictures. Miss Ross was leaning over her sister, and Lizzy Green waswaiting to give the children something else when they were tired. 

As the rattle of the musketry began, it was soon plain enough to see whohad the stoutest hearts; but I seemed to be noticing nothing, though Idid a great deal, and listened to Mrs Bantem's voice in the next room, bullying and scolding a woman for crying out loud and upsettingeverybody else. 

I gave my message, and then Miss Ross asked me if any one was hurt, towhich I answered as cheerfully as could be that we were all right asyet; and then, taking myself off, Lizzy Green came with me to the door, and I held out my hand to say "Good-bye, " for I knew it was possible Imight never see her again. She gave me her hand, and said "Good-bye, "in a faltering sort of way, and it seemed to me that she shrank from me. The next instant, though, there was the rattling crash of the firing, and I knew now that our men were answering. 

STORY ONE, CHAPTER TWELVE. 

As I went down into the court-yard, I found the smoke rising in puffs asour men fired over the breastwork at the mob coming at the gate. Captain Dyer in the thick of it the while, going from man to man, warning them to keep themselves out of sight, and to aim low. 

"Take care of yourselves, my lads. I value every one of you at ahundred of those black scoundrels. --Tut, tut, who's that down?"

"Corporal Bray, " says some one. 

"Here, Emson, Smith, both of you lend a hand here: we'll make Bantem'squarters hospital. --Now then, look alive, ambulance party. "

We were about lifting the poor fellow, who had sunk down behind thebreastwork, all doubled up like, hands and knees; and head down; but aswe touched him, he straightened himself out, and looked up at CaptainDyer. 

"Don't touch me yet, " he says in a whisper. "My stripes for some one, captain. Do for Isaac Smith there. Hooray!" he says faintly; and hetook off his cap with one hand, gave it a bit of a wave--"God save theQuee--"

"Bear him carefully to the empty ground floor, south side, " says CaptainDyer sternly; "and make haste back, my lads: moments are precious. "

"I'll do that, with Private Manning's wife, " says a voice; and turningas we were going to lift our dead comrade, there was big, strapping MrsBantem, and another soldier's wife, and she then said a few words to thecaptain. 

"Gone?" says Captain Dyer. 

"Quarter of an hour ago, sir, " says Mrs Bantem; and then to me: "Poortrooper, Isaac!"

"Another man here, " says Captain Dyer. --"No, not you, Smith. --Fill uphere, Bantem. "

Joe Bantem waved his hand to his wife, and took the dead corporal'splace, but not easily, for Measles, who was next man, was stepping intoit, when Captain Dyer ordered him back. 

"But there's such a much better chance of dropping one of them mountedchaps, sir, " says Measles grumbling. 

"Hold your tongue, sir, and go back to your own loophole, " says CaptainDyer; and the way that Measles kept on loading and firing, ramming downhis cartridges viciously, and then taking long and careful aim, ah! andwith good effect too, was a sight to see. 

All the while we were expecting an assault, but none came, for themutineers fell fast, and did not seem to dare to make a rush while wekept up such practice. 

Then I had to go round and ask Lieutenant Leigh to send six more men tothe gate, and to bring news of what was going on round the other sides. 

I found the lieutenant standing at the window where I caught Chunder, and there was a man each at all the other four little windows whichlooked down at the outside--all the others, as I have said, looking inupon the court. 

The lieutenant's men had a shot now and then at any one who approached;but the mutineers seemed to have determined upon forcing the gate, and, so far as I could see, there was very little danger to fear from anyother quarter. 

I knew Lieutenant Leigh was not a coward, but he seemed veryhalf-hearted over the defence, doing his duty but in a sullen sort ofway; and of course that was because he wanted to take the lead now heldby Captain Dyer; and perhaps it was misjudging him, but I'm afraid justat that time he'd have been very glad if a shot had dropped his rival, and he could have stepped into his place. 

Captain Dyer's plan to keep the rabble at bay till help could come, wasof course quite right; and that night it was an understood thing, thatanother attempt should be made to send a messenger to Wallahbad, anotherof our corporals being selected for the dangerous mission. 

The fighting was kept on, in an on-and-off way, till evening, we losingseveral men, but a good many falling on the other side, which made themmore cautious, and not once did we have a chance of touching a man withthe bayonet. Some of our men grumbled a little at this, saying that itwas very hard to stand there hour after hour to be shot down; and couldthey have done as they liked, they'd have made a sally. 

Then came the night, and a short consultation between the captain andLieutenant Leigh. The mutineers had ceased firing at sundown, and wewere in hopes that there would be a rest till daylight, but all the samethe strictest watch was kept, and only half the men lay down at a time. 

Half the night, though, had not passed, when a hand was laid upon myshoulder, and in an instant I was up, piece in hand, to find that it wasCaptain Dyer. 

"Come here, " he said quietly; and following him into the room underneathwhere the women were placed, he told me to listen, and I did, to hear alow, grating, tearing noise, as of something scraping on stone. "That'sbeen going on, " he said, "for a good hour, and I can't make it out, Smith. "

"Prisoners escaping, " I said quietly. 

"But they are not so near as that. They were confined in the next roombut one, " he said in a whisper. 

"Broke through, then, " I said. 

Then we went--Captain Dyer and I--quietly up on to the roof, answeredthe challenge, and then walked to the edge, where, leaning over, wecould hear the dull grating noise once more; then a stone seemed to fallout on to the sandy way by the palace walls. 

It was all plain enough: they had broken through from one room toanother, where there was a window no bigger than a loophole, and theywere widening this. 

"Quick, here, sentry, " says the captain. 

The next minute the sentry hurried up, and we had a man posted as nearlyover the window as we could guess, and then I had my orders in a minute:"Take two men and the sentry at their door, rush in, and secure them atonce. But if they have got out, join Sergeant Williams, and follow meto act as reserve, for I am going to make a sally by the gate to stopthem from the outside. "

I roused Harry Lant and Measles, and they were with me in an instant. We passed a couple of sentries, and gave the countersign, and thenmounted to the long stone passage which led to where the prisoners hadbeen placed. 

As we three privates neared the door, the sentry there challenged; butwhen we came up to him and listened, there was not a sound to be heard, neither had he heard anything, he said. The next minute the door wasthrown open, and we found an empty room; but a hole in the wall shewedus which way the prisoners had gone. 

We none of us much liked the idea of going through that hole to be takenat a disadvantage, but duty was duty, and running forward, I made asharp thrust through with my piece in two or three directions; then Icrept through, followed by Harry Lant, and found that room empty too;but they had not gone by the doorway which led into the women's part, but enlarged the window, and dropped down, leaving a large opening--onethat, if we had not detected it then, would no doubt have done nicelyfor the entrance of a strong party of enemies. 

"Sentry here, " I said; and leaving the man at the window, followed byHarry Lant and Measles, I ran back, got down to the court-yard, crossedto where Sergeant Williams with half-a-dozen men waited our coming, andthen we were passed through the gate, and went along at the double towhere we could hear noise and shouting. 

We had the narrow alley to go through--the one I have before mentionedas being between the place we had strengthened and the next building;and no sooner were we at the end, than we found we were none too soon, for there, in the dim starlight, we could see Captain Dyer and four mensurrounded by a good score, howling and cutting at them like so manydemons, and plainly to be seen by their white calico things. 

"By your left, my lads, shoulder to shoulder--double, " says thesergeant. 

Then we gave a cheer, and with hearts bounding with excitement down werushed upon the scoundrels to give them their first taste of thebayonet, cutting Captain Dyer and two more men out, just as the othertwo went down. 

It was as fierce a fight that as it was short; for we soon found thealarm spread, and enemies running up on all sides. It was bayonet-drillthen, and well we shewed the practice, till we retired slowly to theentrance of the alley; but the pattering of feet and cries told thatthere were more coming to meet us that way; when, following CaptainDyer's orders we retreated in good form in the other direction, so as toget round to the gate by the other alley, on the south side. 

And now for the first time we gave them a volley, checking the advancefor a few seconds, while we retreated loading, to turn again, and givethem another volley, which checked them again; but only for a fewseconds, when they came down upon us like a swarm of bees, right uponour bayonets; and as fast as half-a-dozen fell, half-a-dozen more wereleaping upon the steel. 

We kept our line, though, one and all, retiring in good order to themouth of the second court, which ran down by the south side of thepalace; when, as if maddened at the idea of losing us, a whole host ofthem came at us with a rush, breaking our line, and driving us anyhow, mixed up together, down the alley, which was dark as pitch; but not sodark but that we could make out a turban or a calico cloth, and thosebayonets of ours were used to some purpose. 

Half-a-dozen times over I heard the captain's voice cheering us on, andshouting: "Gate, gate!" Then I saw the flash of his sword once, andmanaged to pin a fellow who was making at him, just as we got out at theother end with a fierce rush. Then I heard the captain shout, "Rally!"and saw him wave his sword; and then I don't recollect any more, for itwas one wild fierce scuffle--stab and thrust, in the midst of a surging, howling, maddened mob, forcing us towards the gateway. 

I thought it was all over with us, when there came a cheer, and the gatewas thrown open, a dozen men formed, and charged down, driving theniggers back like sheep; and then, somehow or another, we were cut out, and, under cover of the new-comers, reached the gate. 

A ringing volley was then given into the thick of the mutineers as theycame pouring on again; but the next moment all were safely inside, andthe gate was thrust to and barred; and, panting and bleeding, we stood, six of us, trying to get our breath. 

"This wouldn't have happened, " says a voice, "if my advice had beentaken. I wish the black scoundrels had been shot. Where's CaptainDyer?"

There was no answer, and a dead chill fell on me as I seemed to realisethat things had come now to a bad pass. 

"Where's Sergeant Williams?" said Lieutenant Leigh again; but it seemedto me that he spoke in a husky voice. 

"Here!" said some one faintly, and, turning, there was the sergeantseated on the ground, and supporting himself against the breastwork. 

"Any one know the other men who went out on this mad sally?" says thelieutenant. 

"Where's Harry Lant?" I says. 

There was no answer here either, and this time it was my turn to speakin a queer husky voice as I said again: "Where's Measles? I mean SamBigley. "

"He's gone too, poor chap, " says some one. 

"No, he ain't gone neither, " says a voice behind me, and, turning, therewas Measles tying a handkerchief round his head, muttering the whileabout some black devil. "I ain't gone, nor I ain't much hurt, " hegrowled; "and if I don't take it out of some on 'em for this chop o' thehead, it's a rum un; and that's all I've got to say. "

"Load!" says Lieutenant Leigh shortly; and we loaded again, and thenfired two or three volleys at the niggers as they came up towards thegate once more; when some one calls out: "Ain't none of us going to makea sally party, and bring in the captain?"

"Silence there, in the ranks!" shouts Lieutenant Leigh; and though ithad a bad sound coming from him as it did, and situated as he was, noone knew better than I did how that it would have been utter madness tohave gone out again; for even if he were alive, instead of bringing inCaptain Dyer, now that the whole mob was roused, we should have all beencut to pieces. 

It was as if in answer to the lieutenant's order that silence seemed tofall then, both inside and outside the palace--a silence that was onlybroken now and then by the half-smothered groan of some poor fellow whohad been hurt in the sortie--though the way in which those men of oursdid bear wounds, some of them even that were positively awful, was asomething worth a line in history. 

Yes, there was a silence fell upon the place for the rest of that night, and I remember thinking of the wounds that had been made in two poorhearts by that bad hour's work; and I can say now, faithful and true, that there was not a selfish thought in my heart as I remembered LizzyGreen, any more than there was when Miss Ross came uppermost in my mind, for I knew well enough that they must have soon known of the disasterthat had befallen our little party. 

STORY ONE, CHAPTER THIRTEEN. 

Whatever those poor women suffered, they took care it should not be seenby us men, and indeed we had little time to think of them the next day. We had given ourselves the task to protect them, and we were fightinghard to do it, and that was all we could do then; for the enemy gave usbut little peace; not making any savage attack, but harassing us in acruel way, every man acting like for himself, and all the discipline thesepoys had learned seeming to be forgotten. 

As for Lieutenant Leigh, he looked cold and stern, but there was noflinching with him now: he was in command, and he shewed it; and thoughI never liked the man, I must say that he shewed himself now a brave andclever officer; and but for his skilful arrangement of the few men underhis charge, that place would have fallen half-a-dozen times over. 

We had taken no prisoners, so that there was no chance of talking ofexchange; though I believe to a man all thought that the captain andfiles missing from our company were dead. 

The women now lent us their help, bringing down spare muskets andcartridges, loading too for us; so that when the mutineers made anattack, we were able to keep up a much sharper fire than we should havedone under other circumstances. 

It was about the middle of the afternoon, when, hot and exhausted, wewere firing away, for the bullets were coming thick and fast through thegateway, flying across the yard, and making a passage in that directionnearly certain death, when I felt a strange choking feeling, for Measlessays to me all at once: "Look there, Ike. "

I looked and I could hardly believe it, and rubbed my eyes, for just inthe thickest of the firing there was the sound of merry laughter, andthose two children of the colonel's came toddling out, right across theline of fire, turned back to look up at some one calling to them fromthe window, and then stood still, laughing and clapping their hands. 

I don't know how it was, I only know that it wasn't to look brave, but, dropping my piece, I rushed to catch them, just at the same moment asdid Miss Ross and Lizzy Green; while, directly after, Lieutenant Leighrushed from where he was, caught Miss Ross round the waist, and draggedher away, as I did Lizzy and the children. 

How it was that we were none of us hit, seems strange to me, for all thetime the bullets were pattering on the wall beyond us. I only know Iturned sick and faint as I just said to Lizzy: "Thank God for that!" andshe led off the children; Miss Ross shrinking from Lieutenant Leigh witha strange mistrustful look, as if she were afraid of him; and the nextminute they were under cover, and we were back at our posts. 

"Poor bairns!" says Measles to me, "I ain't often glad of anything, IkeSmith, but I am glad they ain't hurt. Now my soul seemed to run andhelp them myself, but my legs seemed as if they couldn't move. You neednot believe it without you like, " he added in his sour way. 

"But I do believe it, old fellow, " I said warmly, as I held out my hand. "Chaff's chaff, but you never knew me make light of a good act done bya true-hearted comrade. "

"All right, " says Measles gruffly. "Now, see me pot that sowar. --Missedhim, I declare!" he exclaimed, as soon as he had fired. "These piecesain't true. No! hit him! He's down! That's one bairn-killer theless. "

"Sam, " I said just then, "what's that coming up between the hutsyonder?"

"Looks like a wagin, " says Measles. "'Tis a wagin, ain't it?"

"No, " I said, feeling that miserable I didn't know what to do; "it isn'ta wagon, Sam; but--Why, there's another. A couple of field-pieces!"

"Nine-pounders, by all that's unlucky, " said Measles, slapping histhigh. "Then I tell you what it is, Ike Smith--it's about time we saidour prayers. "

I didn't answer, for the words would not come; but it was what hadalways been my dread, and it seemed now that the end was very near. 

Troubles were coming upon us thick; for being relieved a short timeafter, to go and have some tea that Mrs Bantem had got ready, I sawsomething that made me stop short, and think of where we should be ifthe water-supply was run out, for though we had the chatties down belowin the vault under the north end, we wanted what there was in the tank, while there was _Nabob_, the great elephant, drawing it up in his trunk, and cooling himself by squirting it all over his back!

I went to Lieutenant Leigh, and pointed it out to him; and the greatbeast was led away; when, there being nothing else for it, we opened away through our breastwork, watched an opportunity, threw open the gate, and he marched out right straight in amongst the mutineers, who cheeredloudly, after their fashion, as he came up to them. 

There was no more firing that night, and taking it in turns, we, some ofus, had a sleep, I among the rest, all dressed as I was, and with my gunin my hand, ready for use at a moment's notice; and I remember thinkingwhat a deal depended on the sentries, and how thoroughly our lives werein their hands; and then my next thought was how was it possible for itto be morning, for I had only seemed to close my eyes, and then openthem again on the light of day. 

But morning it was; and with a dull, dead feeling of misery upon me, Igot up and gave myself a shake, ran the ramrod down my piece, to seethat it was charged all right, looked to the cap, and then once moreprepared for the continuation of the struggle, low-spirited anddisheartened, but thankful for the bit of refreshing rest I had had. 

A couple of hours passed, and there was no movement on the part of theenemy; the ladies never stirred, but we could hear the children laughingand playing about, and how one did seem to envy the littlelight-hearted, thoughtless things! But my thoughts were soon turnedinto another direction, for Lieutenant Leigh ordered me up into one ofthe rooms commanding the gateway, and looking out on the square wherethe guns were standing, and came up with me himself. 

"You'll have a good look-out from here, Smith, " he said; "and being agood shot--"

He didn't say any more, for he was, like me, taken up with the movementin the square--a lot of the mutineers running the two guns forward infront of the gate, and then closing round them, so that we could not seewhat was going on; but we knew well enough that they were charging them, and there seemed nothing for it but to let them fire, unless by a boldsally we could get out and spike them. 

Just then, Lieutenant Leigh looked at me, and I at him, when, touchingmy cap in salute, I said, "Two good nails, sir, and a tap on each woulddo it. "

"Yes, Smith, " he said grimly; "but who is to drive those two nailshome?"

I didn't answer him for a minute, I should think, for I was thinkingover matters, about life, and about Lizzy, and now that Harry Lant wasgone, it seemed to me that there might be a chance for me; but stillduty was duty, and if men could not in such a desperate time as thisrisk something, what was the good of soldiers?

"I'll drive 'em home, sir, " I says then quietly, "or they shall drive mehome!"

He looked at me for an instant, and then nodded. 

"I'll get the men ready, " he says; "it's our only chance; and with abold dash we may do it. I'll see to the armourer's chest for hammersand spikes. I'll spike one, Smith, and you the other; but, mind, if Ifail, help me, as I will you, if you fail; and God help us! Keep asharp look-out till I come back. "

He left the room, and I heard a little movement below, as of the mengetting ready for the sally; and all the while I stood watching thecrowd in front, which now began hurrahing and cheering; and there was amotion which shewed that the guns were being run in nearer, till theystopped about fifty yards from the gate. 

"What makes him so long?" I thought, trembling with excitement;"another minute, perhaps, and the gate will be battered down, and thatmob rushing in. "

Then I thought that we ought all who escaped from the sortie, in case offailure, to be ready to take to the rooms adjoining where I was, whichwould be our last hope; and then I almost dropped my piece, my mouthgrew dry, and I seemed choked, for, with a loud howl, the crowd openedout, and I saw a sight that made my blood run cold--those twonine-pounders standing with a man by each breech, smoking linstock inhand; while bound, with their backs against the muzzles, and their whitefaces towards us, were Captain Dyer and Harry Lant!

One spark--one touch of the linstock on the breech--and those two bravefellows' bodies would be blown to atoms; and, as I expected that everymoment such would be the case, my knees knocked together; but the nextmoment I was down on those shaking knees, my piece made ready, and agood aim taken, so that I could have dropped one of the gunners beforehe was able to fire. 

I hesitated for a moment before I made up my mind which to try and save, and the thought of Lizzy Green came in my mind, and I said to myself: "Ilove her too well to give her pain, " when, giving up Captain Dyer, Iaimed at the gunner by poor Harry Lant. 

"Don't fire, " said a voice just then, and, turning, there was LieutenantLeigh. "The black-hearted wretches!" he muttered. "But we are allready; though now, if we start, it will be the signal for the death ofthose two. --But what does this mean?"

What made him say that, was a chief all in shawls, who rode forward andshouted out in good English, that they gave us one hour to surrender;but, at the end of that time, if we had not marched out without arms, they would blow their prisoners away from the mouth of the guns. 

Then, for fear we had not heard it, he spurred his horse up to withinten yards of the gate, and shouted it out again, so that every one couldhear it through the place; and, though I could have sent a bulletthrough and through him, I could not help admiring the bold daringfellow, riding up right to the muzzles of our pieces. 

But all the admiration I felt was gone the next moment, as I thought ofthe cruelties practised, and of those bound there to those gun-muzzles. 

There was nothing said for a few minutes, for I expected the lieutenantto speak; but as he did not, I turned to him and said: "If all wasready, sir, I could drop one gunner; and I'd trust Measles--Sam Bigley--to drop the other, when a bold dash might do it. You see they'veretired a good thirty yards, and we should only have twenty more to runthan they; while the surprise would give us that start. A good sharpjack-knife would set the prisoners free, and a covering-party wouldperhaps check the pursuit while we got in. "

"We shall have to try it, Smith, " he said, his breath coming thick andfast with excitement; and then he seemed to turn white, for Miss Rossand Lizzy came into the room. 

STORY ONE, CHAPTER FOURTEEN. 

I should think it must have been the devil tempting Lieutenant Leigh, orhe would never have done as he did; for, as he looked at Miss Ross, thechange that came over him was quite startling. He could read all thatwas passing in her heart; there was no need for her to lay her hand uponhis arm, and point with the other out of the window, as in a voice thatI didn't know for hers, she said: "Will you leave those two brave menthere to die, Lieutenant Leigh?"

He didn't answer for a moment, but seemed to be struggling with himself;then, speaking as huskily as she did, he said: "Send away that girl!"and before I could go to her--for I should have done it, then, I know--and whisper a few words of hope, poor Lizzy went out, mourning for HarryLant, wringing her hands; and I stood at my post, a sentry by mycommander's orders, so that it was no spying on my part if I heard whatfollowed. 

I believe Lieutenant Leigh fancied he was speaking in an undertone, whenhe led Miss Ross away to a corner, and spoke to her; but this wasperhaps the most exciting moment in his life, and his voice rose inspite of himself, so that I heard all; while she, poor thing, I believeforgot all about my presence; and, as a sentry--a machine almost--placedthere, what right had I to speak?

"Will you leave him?" said Miss Ross again. "Will you not try to savehim?"

Lieutenant Leigh did not answer for a bit, for he was making his plans, and I felt quite staggered as I saw through them. 

"You see how he is placed: what can I do?" said Lieutenant Leigh. "If Igo, it is the signal for firing. You see the gunners waiting. And whyshould I risk the lives of my men, and my own, to save him?--He is asoldier, and it is the fortune of war: he must die. "

"Are you a man, or a coward?" said Miss Ross angrily. 

"No coward, " he said fiercely; "but a poor slighted man, whom you havewronged, jilted, and ill-used; and now you come to me to save yourlover's life--to give mine for it. You have robbed me of all that ispleasant between you; and now you ask more. Is it just?"

"Lieutenant Leigh, you are speaking madly. How can you be so unjust?"she cried, holding tightly by his arm, for he was turning away, while Ifelt mad with him for torturing the poor girl, when it was decided thatthe attempt was to be made. 

"I am not unjust, " he said. "The hazard is too great; and what should Igain if I succeeded? Pshaw! Why, if he were saved, it would be at theexpense of my own life. "

"I would die to save him!" she said hoarsely. 

"I know it, Elsie; but you would not give a loving word to save me. Youwould send me out to my death without compunction--without a care; andyet you know how I have loved you. "

"You--you loved me; and yet stand and see my heart torn--see me sufferlike this?" cried Miss Ross, and there was something half-wild in herlooks as she spoke. 

"Love you!" he cried; "yes, you know how I have loved you--"

His voice sank here; but he was talking in her ear excitedly, sayingwords that made her shrink from him up to the wall, and look at him asif he were some object of the greatest disgust. 

"You can choose, " he said bitterly, as he saw her action; and he turnedaway from her. 

The next moment she was bending down before him, holding up her hands asif in prayer. 

"Promise me, " he said, "and I will do it. "

"Oh, some other way--some other way!" she cried piteously, her face alldrawn the while. 

"As you will, " he said coldly. 

"But think--oh, think! You cannot expect it of me. Have mercy! Oh, what am I saying?"

"Saying!" he cried, catching her hands in his, and speaking excitedlyand fast--"saying things that are sending him to his death! What do Ioffer you? Love, devotion, all that man can give. He would, if askednow, give up all for his life; and yet you, who profess to love him sodearly, refuse to make that sacrifice for his sake! You cannot lovehim. If he could hear now, he would implore you to do it. Think. Irisk all. Most likely, my life will be given for his; perhaps we shallboth fall. But you refuse. Enough: I must go; I cannot stay. Thereare many lives here under my charge; they must not be neglected for thesake of one. As I said before, it is the fortune of war; and, poorfellow, he has but a quarter of an hour or so to live, unless helpcomes. "

"Unless help comes, " groaned Miss Ross frantically, when, as LieutenantLeigh reached the door, watching me over his shoulder the while, MissRoss went down on her knees, stretched out her hands towards whereCaptain Dyer was bound to the gun, and then she rose, cold, and hard, and stern, and turned to Lieutenant Leigh, holding out her hand. "Ipromise, " she said hoarsely. 

"On your oath, before God?" he exclaimed joyfully, as he caught her inhis arms. 

"As God is my judge, " she faltered with her eyes upturned; and then, ashe held her to his breast, kissing her passionately, she shivered andshuddered, and, as he released her, sank in a heap on the floor. 

"Smith, " cried Lieutenant Leigh; "right face--forward!" and as I passedMiss Ross, I heard her sob in a tone I shall never forget: "O Lawrence, Lawrence!" and then a groan rose from her breast, and I heard no more. 

STORY ONE, CHAPTER FIFTEEN. 

"This is contrary to rule. As commandant, I ought to stay in the fort;but I've no one to give the leadership to, so I take it myself, " saidLieutenant Leigh; "and now, my lads, make ready--present! That's well. Are all ready? At the word `Fire!' Privates Bigley and Smith fire atthe two gunners. If they miss, I cry fire again, and Privates Bantemand Grainger try their skill; then, at the double, down on the guns. Smith and I spike them, while Bantem and Grainger cut the cords. Mindthis: those guns must be spiked, and those two prisoners brought in; andif the sortie is well managed, it is easy, for they will be taken bysurprise. Hush! Confound it, men; no cheering. "

He only spoke in time, for in the excitement the men were about tohurray. 

"Now, then, is that gate unbarred?"

"Yes, sir. "

"Is the covering-party ready?"

"Yes, sir. "

My hand trembled as he spoke; but the next instant it was of a piecewith my gun-stock. There was the dry square, with the sun shining onthe two guns that must have been hot behind the poor prisoners' backs;there stood the two gunners in white, with their smoking linstocks, leaning against the wheels, for discipline was slack; and there, thirtyor forty yards behind, were the mutineers, lounging about, and smokingmany of them. For all firing had ceased, and judging that we should notrisk having the prisoners blown away from the guns, the mutineers cameboldly up within range, as if defying us, and it was pretty safepractice at some of them now. 

I saw all this at a glance, and while it seemed as if the order wouldnever come; but come it did, at last. 

"Fire!"

Bang! the two pieces going off like one; and the gunner behind CaptainDyer leaped into the air, while the one I aimed at seemed to sink downsuddenly beside the wheel he had leaned upon. Then the gate flew open, and with a rush and a cheer, we, ten of us, raced down for the guns. 

Double-quick time! I tell you it was a hard race; and being without mygun now--only my bayonet stack in my trousers' waist-band--I was therefirst, and had driven my spike into the touch-hole before LieutenantLeigh reached his; but the next moment his was done, the cords were cut, and the prisoners loose from the guns. But now we had to get back. 

The first inkling I had of the difficulty of this was seeing CaptainDyer and Harry Lant stagger, and fall forward; but they were saved bythe men, and we saw directly that they must be carried. 

No sooner thought of than done. 

"Hoist Harry on my back, " says Grainger; and he took him like a sack;Bantem acting the same part by Captain Dyer; and those two ran off, while we tried to cover them. 

For don't you imagine that the mutineers were idle all this while; not abit of it. They were completely taken by surprise, though, at first, and gave us time nearly to get to the guns before they could understandwhat we meant; but the next moment some shouted and ran at us, and somebegan firing; while by the time the prisoners were cast loose, they weredown upon us in a hand-to-hand fight. 

But in those fierce struggles there is such excitement, that I've nowbut a very misty recollection of what took place; but I do recollectseeing the prisoners well on the way back, hearing a cheer from our men, and then, hammer in one hand, bayonet in the other, fighting my waybackward along with my comrades. Then all at once a glittering flashcame in the air, and I felt a dull cut on the face, followed directlyafter by another strange, numbing blow, which made me drop my bayonet, as my arm fell uselessly to my side; and then with a lurch and astagger, I fell, and was trampled upon twice, when as I rallied once, ablack savage-looking sepoy raised his clubbed musket to knock out mybrains, but a voice I well knew cried: "Not this time, my fine fellow. That's number three, that is, and well home;" and I saw Measles drivehis bayonet with a crash through the fellow's breast-bone, so that hefell across my legs. --"Now, old chap, come along, " he shouts, and an armwas passed under me. 

"Run, Measles, run!" I said as well as I could. "It's all over withme. "

"No; 'taint, " he said; "and don't be a fool. Let me do as I like, foronce in a way. "

I don't know how he did it, nor how, feeling sick and faint as I did, Imanaged to get on my legs; but old Measles stuck to me like a truecomrade, and brought me in. For one moment I was struggling to my feet;and the next, after what seemed a deal of firing going over my head, Iwas inside the breastwork, listening to our men cheering and firingaway, as the mutineers came howling and raging up almost to the verygate. 

"All in?" I heard Lieutenant Leigh ask. 

"To a man, sir, " says some one; "but Private Bantem is hurt. "

"Hold your tongue, will you!" says Joe Bantem. "I ain't killed, nor yethalf. How would you like your wife frightened if you had one?"

"How's Private Lant?"

"Cut to pieces, sir, " says some one softly. 

"I'm thankful that you are not wounded, Captain Dyer, " then saysLieutenant Leigh. 

"God bless you, Leigh!" says the captain faintly: "it was a brave act. I've only a scratch or two when I can get over the numbness of mylimbs. "

I heard all this in a dim sort of fashion, just as if it was a dream inthe early morning; for I was leaning up against the wall, with my facelaid open and bleeding, and my left arm smashed by a bullet, and nobodyjust then took any notice of me, because they were carrying in CaptainDyer and Harry Lant; while the next minute, the fire was going on hardand fast; for the mutineers were furious, and I suppose they dancedround the guns in a way that shewed how mad they were about the spiking. 

As for me, I did not seem to be in a great deal of pain; but I gotturning over in my mind how well we had done it that morning; and I feltproud of it all, and glad that Captain Dyer and Harry Lant were broughtin; but all the same what I had heard lay like a load upon me; andknowing, as I did, that poor Miss Ross had, as it were, sold herself tosave the captain's life, and that she had, in a way of speaking, beencheated into doing so, I felt that when the opportunity came, I musttell the captain all I knew. When I had got as far as that with mythoughts, the dull numbness began to leave me, and everything else wasdriven out of my mind by the thought of my wound; and I got askingmyself whether it was going to be very bad, for I thought it was, sogetting up a little, I began to crawl along in the shade towards theruined south end of the palace, nobody seeming to notice me. 

STORY ONE, CHAPTER SIXTEEN. 

I daresay you who read this don't know what the sensation is of havingone arm-bone shivered, and the dead limb swinging helplessly about inyour sleeve, whilst a great miserable sensation comes over you that youare of no more use--that you are only a cracked pitcher, fit to holdwater no more, but only to be broken up to mend the road with. Therewere all those women and children wanting my help, and the help ofhundreds more such as me, and instead of being of use, I knew that Imust be a miserable burden to everybody, and only in the way. 

Now, whether man--as some of the great philosophers say--did graduallyget developed from the beast of the field, I'm not going to pretend toknow; but what I do know is this--that, leave him in his natural state, and when he, for some reason or another, forgets all that has beentaught him, he seems very much like an animal, and acts as such. 

It was something after this fashion with me then, for feeling like apoor brute out of a herd that has been shot by the hunters, I did justthe same as it would--crawled away to find a place where I might hidemyself and lie down and die. 

You'll laugh, I daresay, when I tell you my sensations just then, andI'm ready to laugh at them now myself; for, in the midst of my pain andsuffering, it came to me that I felt precisely as I did when I was ayoung shaver of ten years old. One Sunday afternoon, when everybody butmother and me had gone to church, and she had fallen asleep, I gotfather's big clay-pipe, rammed it full of tobacco out of his great leadbox, and then took it into the back kitchen, feeling as grand as achurchwarden, and set to and smoked it till I turned giddy and faint, and the place seemed swimming about me. 

Now, that was just how I felt when I crawled about in that place, tryingnot to meet anybody, lest the women should see me all covered withblood; and at last I got, as I thought, into a room where I should beall alone. 

I say I crawled; and that's what I did do, on one hand and my knees, thefingers of my broken arm trailing over the white marble floor, with eachfinger making a horrible red mark, when all at once I stopped, drewmyself up stiffly, and leaned trembling and dizzy up against the wall, trying hard not to faint. For I found that I wasn't alone, and that inplace of getting away--crawling into some hole to lie down and die, Iwas that low-spirited and weak--I had come to a place where one of thewomen was, for there, upon her knees, was Lizzy Green, sobbing andcrying, and tossing her hands about in the agony of her poor heart. 

I was misty, and faint, and confused, you know; but perhaps it wassomething like instinct made me crawl to Lizzy's favourite place, for itwas not intended. She did not see me, for her back was my way; and Idid not mean her to know I was there; for in spite of my giddiness, Iseemed to feel that she had learned all the news about our sortie, andthat she was crying about poor Harry Lant. 

"And he deserves to be cried for, poor chap, " I said to myself, for Iforgot all about my own pains then; but all the same something very darkand bitter came over me, as I wished that she had been crying insteadfor poor me. 

"But then he was always so bright, and merry, and clever, " I thought, "and just the man who would make his way with a woman; while I--PleaseGod, let me die now!" I whispered to myself directly after, "for I'monly a poor, broken, helpless object, in everybody's way. "

It seemed just then as if the hot weak tears that came running out of myeyes made me clearer, and better able to hear all that the sobbing girlsaid, as I leaned closer and closer to the wall; while, as to the sharppain every word she said gave me, the dull dead aching of my broken armwas nothing. 

"Why--why did they let him go?" the poor girl sobbed, "as if there werenot enough to be killed without him; and him so brave, and stout, andhandsome, and true. My poor heart's broken. What shall I do?"

Then she sobbed again; and I remember thinking that unless help sooncame, if poor Harry Lant died of his wounds, she would soon go to joinhim in that land where there was to be no more suffering and pain. 

Then I listened, for she was speaking again. 

"If I could only have died for him, or been with, or--Oh, what have Idone, that I should be made to suffer so?"

I remember wondering whether she was suffering more then than I was;for, in spite of my jealous despairing feeling, there was something ofsorrow mixed up with it for her. 

For she had always seemed to like poor Harry's merry ways, when I nevercould get a smile from her; and she'd go and sit with Mrs Bantem forlong enough when Harry was there, while if by chance I went, it seemedlike the signal for her to get up, and say her young lady wanted her, when most likely Harry would walk back with her; and I went and told itall to my pipe. 

"If he'd only known how I'd loved him;" she sobbed again, "he'd havesaid one kind word to me before he went, have kissed me, perhaps, once;but no, not a look nor a sign! Oh! Isaac, Isaac! I shall never seeyou more!"

What--what? What was it choking me? What was it that sent what blood Ihad left gushing up in a dizzy cloud over my eyes, so that I could onlygasp out once the one word "Lizzy!" as I started to my feet, and stoodstaring at her in a helpless, half-blind fashion; for it seemed asthough I had been mistaken, and that it was possible after all that shehad been crying for me, believing me to be dead; but the next moment Iwas shrinking away from her, hiding my wounded face with my hand forfear she should see it, for leaping up, hot and flush-cheeked, and withthose eyes of hers flashing at me, she was at my side with a bound. 

"You cowardly, cruel bad fellow!" she half-shrieked; "how dare you standin that mean deceitful way, listening to my words! Oh, that I should besuch a weak fool, with a stupid, blabbing, chattering tongue, to keep onkneeling and crying there, telling lies, every one of them, and--Getaway with you!"

I think it was a smile that was on my face then, as she gave me a fiercethrust on the wounded arm, when I staggered towards her. I know thepain was as if a red-hot hand had grasped me; but I smiled all the same, and then, as I fell, I heard her cry out two words, in a wild, agonisedway, that went right to my heart, making it leap before all was blank;for I knew that those words meant that, in spite of all my doubts, I wasloved. 

"O Isaac!" she cried, in a wild frightened way, and then, as I said, allwas blank and dark for I don't know how long; but I seemed to wake up towhat was to me then like heaven, for my head was resting on Lizzy'sbreast, and, half-mad with fear and grief, she was kissing my pale faceagain and again. 

"Try--try to forgive me for being so cruel, so unfeeling, " she sobbed;and then for a moment, as she saw me smile, she was about to fly outagain, fierce-like, at having betrayed herself, and let me know how sheloved me. Even in those few minutes I could read it all: how herpassionate little heart was fighting against discipline, and how angryshe was with herself; but I saw it all pass away directly, as she lookeddown at my bleeding face, and eagerly asked me if I was very much hurt. 

I tried to answer, but I could not; for the same deathly feeling ofsickness came on again, and I saw nothing. 

I suppose, though, it only lasted a few minutes, for I woke like againto hear a panting hard breathing, as of some one using great exertion, and then I felt that I was being moved; but, for the life of me, for afew moments I could not make it out, till I heard the faint buzz ofvoices, when I found that Lizzy, the little fierce girl, who seemed tobe as nothing beside me, was actually, in her excitement, carrying me towhere she could get help, struggling along panting, a few feet at atime, beneath my weight, and me too helpless and weak to say a word. 

"Good heavens! look!" I heard some one say the next moment, and I thinkit was Miss Ross; but it was some time before I came to myself againenough to find that I was lying with a rolled-up cloak under my head, and Lizzy bathing my lips from time to time, with what I afterwardslearned was her share of the water. 

But what struck me most now was the way in which she was altered: hersharp, angry way was gone, and she seemed to be changed into a softgentle woman, without a single flirty way or thought, but always readyto flinch and shrink away until she saw how it troubled me, when she'dcreep back to kneel down by my side, and put her little hand in mine;when, to make the same comparison again that I made before, I tell youthat there, in that besieged and ruined place, half-starved, choked withthirst, and surrounded by a set of demons thirsting for our blood--Itell you that it seemed to me like being in heaven. 

STORY ONE, CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. 

I don't know how time passed then; but the next thing I remember islistening to the firing for a while, and then, leaning on Lizzy, beinghelped to the women's quarters, where, in spite of all they could do, those children would keep escaping from their mother to get to HarryLant, who lay close to me, poor fellow, smiling and looking happywhenever they came near him; and I smiled too, and felt as happy whenLizzy, after tending me with Mrs Bantem as long as was necessary, gotbathing Harry's forehead with water and moistening his lips. 

"Poor fellow, " I thought, "it will do him good;" and I lay watchingLizzy moving about afterwards, and then I think I must have gone tosleep, or have fallen into a dull numb state, from which I was wakenedby a voice I knew; and opening my eyes, I saw that Miss Ross, pale andscared-looking, was on her knees by the side of Harry Lant, and thatCaptain Dyer was there. 

"Not one word of welcome, " he said, with a strange drawn look on hisface, which deepened as Miss Ross rose and went close to him. 

"Yes, " she said; "thank God you have returned safe. --No, no; don't touchme, " she cried hoarsely. "Here, take me away--lead me out of this!" shesaid, for at that moment Lieutenant Leigh came quietly in, and she puther hands in his. "Take me out, " she said again hoarsely; and then likesome one muttering in a dream: "Take me away--take me away. "

I said that drawn strange look on Captain Dyer's face seemed to deepenas he stood watching whilst those two went out together; then he passedhis hand over his eyes, as if to ask himself whether it was a dream; andthen, with a groan, he leaned one hand against the wall, feeling his wayout from the room, and something seemed to hinder me from calling out tohim, and telling him what I knew. For I was reasoning with myself whatought I to do? and then, sick and faint I seemed to sleep again. 

But this time I was waked up by a loud shrieking, and a rush of feet, and, confused as I was, I knew what it meant: the hole where the blacksescaped--Chunder and his party--had not been properly guarded, and themutineers had climbed up and made an entrance. 

The alarm spread fast enough, but not quick enough to save life; for, with a howl, half-a-dozen sepoys, with their scarlet and white coateesopen, dashed in with fixed bayonets, and two women were borne to theground in an instant, while a couple of wretches made a dash at thosetwo children--Little Cock Robin and Jenny Wren, as we called them--standing there, wondering like, by Harry Lant's bed on the floor, whilstthe golden light of the setting sun filled the room, and lit up theirlittle angels' faces. 

But with a howl, such as I never heard woman give, Mrs Bantem rushedbetween them and the children, caught a bayonet in each hand, and heldthem together, letting them pass under one arm, then with a springforward she threw those great arms of hers round the black fellows'necks as they hung together, and held them in such a hug as they neversuffered from before. 

The next moment they were all rolling together on the floor; but thatincident saved the lives of those poor children, for there came a cheernow, and Measles and a dozen more were led in by Lieutenant Leigh, and--

There, I am telling you too many horrors. They beat them back step bystep, at the point of the bayonet; and a fierce struggle it was, a longfight kept up from room to room, for our men were fierce now as themutineers, and it was a genuine death-struggle; and the broken windowbeing guarded, not a man of about a dozen mutineers who gained entrancelived to go back and relate their want of success. 

And can you wonder, when two of those who fought had found their wivesbayoneted Grainger was one of them and when the fight was over, duringwhich, raging like a demon, he had bayoneted four men, the poor fellowsat down by his dead wife, took her head first in his lap, then to hisbreast, and rocked himself to and fro, crying like a child, till therewas a bugle-call in the court-yard, when he laid her gently in a corner, carrying her like as if she had been a child, kneeled down, and said`Our Father' right through by her side, kissed her lips two or threetimes, and then covered her face with a bit of an old red handkerchief;and him all the while covered with blood and dust and black of powder. Then, poor fellow, he got up and took his gun, and went out on the tipsof his toes, lest he should wake her who would wake no more in thisworld. 

Perhaps it was weakness, I don't know, but my eyes were very wet justthen, and a soft little hand was laid on my breast, and Lizzy's headleant over me, and her tears, too, fell very fast on my hot and feveredface. 

I felt that I should die, not then, perhaps, but before very long, for Iknew that my arm was so shattered that it ought to be amputated justbelow the elbow, while for want of surgical assistance it would mortify;but somehow I felt very happy just then, and my state did not give memuch pain, only that I wanted to have been up and doing; and at lastLizzy helping me, I got up, my arm being bandaged--and in a sling, tofind that I could walk about a little; and I made my way down into thecourt-yard, where I got near to Captain Dyer, who, better now, and ableto limp about, was talking with Lieutenant Leigh, both officers now, andforgetful apparently of all but the present crisis. 

"What wounded are there?" said Captain Dyer, as I walked slowly up. 

"Nearly every man to some extent, " said Lieutenant Leigh; "but this manand Lant are the worst. "

"The place ought to be evacuated, " said Captain Dyer; "it is impossibleto hold it another day. "

"We might hold out another day, " said Lieutenant Leigh, "but not longer. Why not retreat under cover of the night?"

"It seems the only thing left, " said Captain Dyer. "We might perhapsget to some hiding-place or other before our absence was discovered; butthe gate and that back window will be watched of course: how are we toget away with two severely wounded men, the women, and children?"

"That must be planned, " said Lieutenant Leigh; and then the watch wasset for the night, as far as could be done, and another time of darknessset in. 

It was that which puzzled me, why a good bold attack was not made bynight; why, the place must have been carried again and again; but no, wewere left each night entirely at rest, and the attacks by day wereclumsy and bad. There was no support; every man fought for himself andafter his own fashion, and I suppose that every man did look uponhimself as an officer, and resented all discipline. At all events, itwas our salvation, though at this time it seemed to me that the end mustbe coming on the next day, and I remember thinking, that if it did cometo the end, I should like to keep one cartridge left in my pouch. 

Then my mind went off wandering in a misty way upon a plan to get awayby night, and I tried to make one, taking into consideration, that thequarters on the north side of us now, and only separated by ten feet ofalley, were in the hands of the mutineers, who camped in them, the samebeing the case in the quarters on the south side, separated again by theten feet of alley through which we returned when Captain Dyer and HarryLant were taken. While on the east was the market plain or square, andon the west a wilderness of open country with huts and sheds. I felt, do you know, that a good plan of escape at this time was just what Iought to make, every one else being busy with duty, and me not able toeither fight or stand sentry, so I worked on hard at it that night, trying to be useful in some way; and after a fashion, I worked one out. 

But I have not told you what I meant to do with that last cartridge inmy pouch; I meant that to be pressed to my lips once before I contrivedwith one hand to load my rifle, and then if the worst came to the veryworst, and when I had waited to the last to see if help would come, then, when it seemed that there was no hope, I meant to do what I toldmyself it would be my duty, as a man and a soldier, to do, if I lovedLizzy Green--do what more than one man did, during the mutiny, by thewoman for whom he had been shedding his heart's best blood; and in thedead of that night I did load that gun, after kissing the bullet; and adeal of pain that gave me, mental as well as bodily, but I don't thinkthat I need to tell you what that last cartridge was for. 

STORY ONE, CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. 

I think by this time you pretty well understand the situation of ourpalace, and how our stronghold was on the north side, close to which wasthe gate, so hardly fought for: if you don't, I'm afraid it is my fault, and not yours. 

At all events, being at liberty, I went over it here and there, and fromfloor to roof, as I tried to make out which would be the best way fortrying to escape; but somehow I couldn't see it then. To go out fromthe gate was impossible; and the same related to the broken-out window, as both places were thoroughly watched. 

As for the other windows about the place, they were such slips, thatwithout they were widened, any escaping by them was impossible. To havelet ourselves down, one by one, from the flat roof by a rope, might havedone, but it was a clumsy unsuitable way, with all those children andwomen, so I gave that up, and then sat down as I was by a little windowlooking out on to the north alley. 

Wearied out at last, I suppose that a sort of stupor came over me, fromwhich I did not wake till morning, to find myself suffering a dull numbpain; but when I opened my eyes I forgot that, because of her who waskneeling beside me, driving away the flies that were buzzing about, asif they knew that I was soon to be for them to rest on, without a handto sweep them away. 

At last, though, as I lay there wondering what could be done to save us, the thought came all at once, and struggling to my feet, I held Lizzy tomy heart a minute, and then went off to find Captain Dyer. 

It quite took me aback to see his poor haggard face, and the way inwhich he took the trouble, for it was plain enough to see how he was cutto the heart by Miss Ross's treatment of him. But for all that, he wasthe officer and the gentleman; he had his duty to do, and he was doingit; so that, if even now, after losing so many men, and with so manymore half disabled, if the enemy had made a bold assault now, they wouldhave won the place dearly, though win it they must. 

That did not seem their way, though they wanted the place for the sakeof the great store of arms and ammunition it contained, but all the samethey wanted to buy it cheap. 

I found Captain Dyer ready enough to listen to my plan, though he shookhis head, and said it was desperate. But after a little thought, hesaid: "There are some hours now between this and night--help may comebefore then; if not, Smith, we must try it. My hands are full, so Ileave the preparations with you: let every one carry food and a bottleof water--nothing more--all we want now is to save life. "

I promised I'd see to it; and I went and spoke cheerfully to the women, but Mrs Maine seemed quite hysterical. Miss Ross listened to what Ihad to say in a hard strange way; and really, if it had not been forMrs Bantem putting a shoulder first to one wheel and then the other, nothing would have been done. 

The next person I went to was Measles, who, during a cessation of thefiring, was sitting, black and blood-smeared, with his head tied up, wiping out his gun with pieces he tore off the sleeves of his shirt. 

"Well, Ike, mate, " he says, "not dead yet, you see. If we get out ofthis, I mean to have my promotion; but I don't see how we're going tomanage it. What bothers me most is, letting these black fellows get allthis powder and stuff we have here. Blow my rags if we shall ever useit all! I've been firing away till my old Bess has been so hot thatI've been afraid to charge her; and I'll swear I've used twice as manycartridges as any other man. But I say, Ike, old fellow, do you thinkit's wrong to pot these niggers?"

"No, " I said--"not in a case like this. "

"Glad of it, " he says sincerely; "because, do you know, old man, I'vepolished off such a thundering lot, that, I've got to be quite narvousabout getting killed myself. Only think having forty or fiftyblack-looking beggars rising up against you in kingdom come, andpointing at you, and saying: `That's the chap as shot me!'"

"I don't think any soldier, acting under orders, who does his duty indefence of women and children, need fear to lie down and die, " I said. 

I never saw Measles look soft but that once, as, laying down his ramrod, he took my hand in his, and looked in my face for a bit; then he shookmy hand softly, and nodded his head several times. 

"How's Harry Lant?" he says at last. 

"Very bad, " I said. 

"Poor old chap. But tell him I've paid some of the beggars out for it. Mind you tell him--it'll make him feel comfortable like, and ease hismind. "

I nodded, and then told him about the plan. 

"Well, " he said, as he slowly and thoughtfully polished his gun-barrel, "it might do, and it mightn't. Seems a rum dodge; but, anyhow, we mighttry. "

"I shall want you to help make the bridge, " I says. 

"All right, matey; but I don't, somehow, like leaving the beggars allthat ammunition;" and then he loaded his piece very thoughtfully, butonly to rouse up directly after, for the mutineers began firing again;and Captain Dyer giving the order, our men replied swift and fast atevery black face that shewed itself for an instant. 

That was a day: hot, so that everything you went near seemed burning. The walls even sent forth a heat of their own; and if it hadn't been forthe chatties down below, we should have had to give up, for the tank wasnow completely dried, and the flies buzzing about its mud-caked bottom. But the women went round from man to man with water and biscuit so thatno one left his post, and every time the black scoundrels tried to makea lodgment near the gate, half were shot down, and the rest glad enoughto get back into shelter. 

Towards that weary slow-coming evening, though, after we had beaten themback--or, rather, after my brave comrades had beaten them back half ascore of times--I saw that something was up; and as soon as I saw whatthat something was, I knew that it was all over, for our men were toomuch cut up and disheartened for any more gallant sorties. 

I've not said any more about the guns, only that we spiked them, andleft them standing in the market plain, about fifty yards from thegates. I may tell you now, though, that the next morning they weregone, and we forgot all about them till the night I'm telling you of, when they were dragged out again, with a lot of noise and shouting, froma building in the far corner of the square. 

We didn't want telling what that meant. 

It was plain enough to all of us that the scoundrels had drilled out thetouch-holes again, and that during the night they would be planted, andthe first discharge would drive down all our defences, and leave us opento a rush. 

"We must try your plan, Smith, " says Captain Dyer with a quiet sternlook. "It is time to evacuate the place now. "

Then he knelt down and took a look at the guns with his glass, and Iknew he must have been thinking of how he stood tied to the muzzle ofone of them, for he gave a sort of shudder as he closed his glass with asnap. 

Just then, Miss Ross came round with Lizzy and Mrs Bantem, with wineand water, and I saw a sort of quiet triumph in Lieutenant Leigh's face, as, avoiding Captain Dyer, Miss Ross went up to him, as he half-beckonedto her, and stood by him like a slave, giving him bottle and glass, andthen standing by his side with her eyes fixed and strange-looking;while, though he fought against it bravely, and tried to be unmoved, Captain Dyer could not bear it, but walked away. 

I was just then drinking some water given me by Lizzy, whose paletroubled little face looked up so lovingly in mine that I felthalf-ashamed for me, a poor private, to be so happy--for I forgot mywounds then--while my captain was in pain and suffering. And then itwas that it struck me that Captain Dyer was just in that state in whichmen feel despairing, and go and do desperate things. I felt that Iought before now to have told him all about what I had heard, but I wasin hopes that things would right themselves, and always came to theconclusion that it was Miss Ross's duty to have given the captain someexplanation of her treatment; anyhow, it did not seem to be mine; butwhen I saw the poor smitten fellow go off like he did, I followed himsoftly till I came up with him, my heart beating the while with acurious sense of fear. 

There was nothing to fear, though: he had only gone up to the root andwhen I came up with him he was evidently calculating about our escape, for he finished off by pulling out his telescope, and looking rightacross the plain, towards where there was a tank and a small station. 

"I think that ought to be our way, Smith, " he said. "We could staythere for half an hour's rest, and then on again towards Wallahbad, sending a couple of the stoutest men on for help. By the way, we'll tryand start a man off to-night, as soon as it's dark. Who will you haveto help you?"

"I should like to have Bigley, sir, " I said. 

"Will one be sufficient?"

"Quite, sir, " I said; for I thought Measles and I could manage itbetween us. 

Half an hour after, Measles was busy at work, fetching up muskets, withbayonets fixed, from down in the store, and laying them in order on theflat roof; taking care the while to keep out of sight; and I went to theroom where the women were, under Mrs Bantem's management, getting readyfor what was to come, for they had been told that we might leave theplace all at once. 

STORY ONE, CHAPTER NINETEEN. 

I suppose it was my wound made me do things in a sluggish dreamy way, and made me feel ready to stop and look at any little thing which tookmy attention. Anyhow, that's the way I acted; and going inside thatroom, I stopped short just inside the place, for there were those twolittle children of the colonel's sitting on the floor, with a whole heapof those numbers of the Bible--those that people take in shillingparts--and with two or three large pictures in each. Some one had giventhem the parts to amuse themselves with; and, as grand and old-fashionedas could be, they were shewing these pictures to the soldiers' children. 

As I went in they'd got a picture open, of Jacob lying asleep, with hisdream spread before you, of the great flight of steps leading up intoheaven, and the angels going up and down. 

"There, " says little Jenny Wren to a boy half as old again as herself;"those are angels, and they're coming down from heaven, and they've gotbeautiful wings like birds. "

"Oh, " says little Cock Robin thoughtfully, and he leaned over thepicture. Then he says quite seriously: "If they've got wings, why don'tthey fly down?"

That was a poser; but Jenny Wren was ready with her answer, old-fashioned as could be, and she says: "I should think it's toz theywere moulting. "

I remember wishing that the poor little innocents had wings of theirown, for it seemed to me that they would be a sad trouble to us to getaway that night, just at the time when a child's most likely to be crossand fretful. 

Night at last, dark as dark, save only a light twinkling here and there, in different parts where the enemy had made their quarters. There was abuzzing in the camp where the guns were, and as we looked over, oncethere came the grinding noise of a wheel, but only once. 

We made sure that the gate and the broken window opening were wellwatched, for there was the white calico of the sentries to be seen; butsoon the darkness hid them, and we should not have known that they werethere but for the faint spark now and then which shewed that they weresmoking, and once I heard, quite plain in the dead stillness, the soundmade by a "hubble-bubble" pipe. 

We waited one hour, and then, with six of us on the roof, the plan Imade began to be put into operation. 

My idea was that if we could manage to cross the north alley, which as Itold you was about ten feet wide, we might then go over the roof of thequarters where the mutineers were; then on to the next roof; which was afew feet lower; and from there get down on to some sheds, from which itwould be easy to reach the ground, when the way would be open to us, toescape, with perhaps some hours before we were missed. 

The plan was, I know, desperate, but it seemed our only chance, and, asyou well know, desperate ventures will sometimes succeed when the mostcarefully arranged plots fail. At all events, Captain Dyer took it up, and the men under my directions, a couple of muskets were taken at atime, and putting them muzzle to muzzle, the bayonet of each was thrustdown the other's barrel, which saved lashing them together, and gave usa sort of spar about ten feet long, and this was done with about fifty. 

Did I tell you there was a tree grew up in the centre of the alley--astunty, short-boughed tree, and to this Measles laid one of the doublemuskets, feeling for a bough to rest it on in the darkness, afterlistening whether there was any one below; then he laid more and more, till with a mattress laid upon them, he formed a bridge, over which heboldly crept to the tree, where, with the lashings he had taken, hebound a couple more muskets horizontal, and then shifted the others? Hearranged them all so that the butts of one end rested on the roof of thepalace; the butts at the other end were across those he had bound prettylevel in the tree. Then more and more were laid across, and a couple ofthin straw mattresses on them; and though it took a tremendously longtime, through Measles fumbling in the dark, it was surprising what afirm bridge that made as far as the tree. 

The other half was made in just the same fashion, and much more easily. Mattresses were laid on it; and there, thirty feet above the ground, wehad a tolerably firm bridge, one that, though very irregular, a mancould cross with ease, creeping on his hands and knees; but then therewere the women, children, and poor Harry Lant. 

Captain Dyer thought it would be better to say nothing to them about it, but to bring them all quietly up at the last minute, so as to give themno time for thought and fear; and then, the last preparation being made, and a rough, short ladder, eight feet long, Measles and I had contrived, being carried over and planted at the end of the other quarters, reaching well down to the next roof; we prepared for a start. 

Measles and Captain Dyer went over with the ladder, and reported nosentries visible, the bridge pretty firm, and nothing apparently tofear, when it was decided that Harry Lant should be taken over first--Measles volunteering to take him on his back and crawl over--then thewomen and children were to be got over, and we were to follow. 

I know it was hard work for him, but Harry Lant never gave a groan, butlet them lash his hands together with a handkerchief; so that Measlesput his head through the poor fellow's arms, for there was no trustingto Harry's feeble hold. 

"Now then, in silence, " says Captain Dyer; "and you, Lieutenant Leigh, get up the women and children. But each child is to be taken by a man, who is to be ready to gag the little thing if it utters a sound. Recollect, the lives of all depend on silence. --Now, Bigley, forward!"

"Wait till I spit in my hands, captain, " says Measles, though what hewanted to spit in his hands for, I don't know, without it was from use, being such a spitting man. 

But spit in his hands he did, and then he was down on his hands andknees, crawling on to the mattress very slowly, and you could hear thebayonets creaking and gritting, as they played in and out of themusket-barrels but they held firm, and the next minute Measles was asfar as the tree, but only to get his load hitched somehow in a raggedbranch, when there was a loud crack as of dead-wood snapping, astruggle, and Measles growled out an oath--he would swear, that fellowwould, in spite of all Mrs Bantem said, so you mustn't be surprised athis doing it then. 

We all stood and crouched there, with our hearts beating horribly; forit seemed that the next moment we should hear a dull, heavy crash; butinstead, there came the sharp fall of a dead branch, and at the samemoment there were voices at the end of the alley. 

If Captain Dyer dared to have spoken, he would have called "Halt!" buthe was silent; and Measles must have heard the voices, for he nevermoved, while we listened minute after minute, our necks just over theedge of the roof, till what appeared to be three of the enemy creptcautiously along through the alley, till one tripped and fell over thedead bough that must have been lying right in their way. 

Then there was a horrible silence, during which we felt that it was allover with the plan--that the enemy must look up and see the bridge, andbring down those who would attack us with renewed fury. 

But the next minute, there came a soft whisper or two, a light rustling, and directly after we knew that the alley was empty. 

It seemed useless to go on now; but after five minutes' interval, Captain Dyer determined to pursue the plan, just as Measles came backpanting to announce Harry Lant as lying on the roof beyond the officers'quarters. 

"And you've no idea what a weight the little chap is, " says Measles tome. --"Now, who's next?"

No one answered; and Lieutenant Leigh stepped forward with Miss Ross. He was about to carry her over; but she thrust him back, and afterscanning the bridge for a few moments, she asked for one of thechildren, and so as to have no time lost, the little boy, fast asleep, bless him! was put in her arms, when brave as brave, if she did not stepboldly on to the trembling way, and walk slowly across. 

Then Joe Bantem was sent, though he hung back for his wife, till sheordered him on, to go over with a soldier's child on his back; and hewas followed by a couple more. 

Next came Mrs Bantem, with Mrs Colonel Maine, and the stout-heartedwoman stood as if hesitating for a minute as to how to go, when catchingup the colonel's wife, as if she had been a child, she stepped on to thebridge, and two or three men held the butts of the muskets, for itseemed as if they could not bear the strain. 

But though my heart seemed in my mouth, and the creaking was terrible, she passed safely over, and it was wonderful what an effect that had onthe rest. 

"If it'll bear that, it'll bear anything, " says some one close to me;and they went on, one after the other, for the most part crawling, tillit came to me and Lizzy Green. 

"You'll go now, " I said; but she would not leave me, and we crept ontogether, till a bough of the tree hindered us, when I made her gofirst, and a minute after we were hand-in-hand upon the other roof. 

The others followed, Captain Dyer coming last, when, seeing me, hewhispered: "Where's Bigley?" of course meaning Measles. 

I looked round, but it was too dark to distinguish one face fromanother. I had not seen him for the last quarter of an hour--not sincehe had asked me if I had any matches, and I had passed him half-a-dozenfrom my tobacco-pouch. 

I asked first one, and then another, but nobody had seen Measles; andunder the impression that he must have joined Harry Lant, we cautiouslywalked along the roof, right over the heads of our enemies; for fromtime to time we could hear beneath our feet the low buzzing sound ofvoices, and more than once came a terrible catching of the breath, asone of the children whispered or spoke. 

It seemed impossible, even now, that we could escape, and I was forproposing to Captain Dyer to risk the noise, and have the bridge takendown, so as to hold the top of the building we were on as a last retreatbut I was stopped from that by Measles coming up to me, when I told himCaptain Dyer wanted him, and he crept away once more. 

We got down the short ladder in safety, and then crossed a low building, to pass down the ladder on to another, which fortunately for us wasempty; and then, with a little contriving and climbing, we dropped intoa deserted street of the place, and all stood huddled together, whileCaptain Dyer and Lieutenant Leigh arranged the order of march. 

And that was no light matter; but a litter was made of the short ladder, and Harry Lant laid upon it; the women and children placed in themiddle; the men were divided; and the order was given in a low tone tomarch, and we began to walk right away into the darkness, down thestraggling street; but only for the advance-guard to come back directly, and announce that they had stumbled upon an elephant picketed with acouple of camels. 

"Any one with them?" said Captain Dyer. 

"Could not see a soul, sir, " said Joe Bantem, for he was one of the men. 

"Grenadiers, half-left, " said Captain Dyer; "forward!" and once more wewere in motion, tramp, tramp, tramp, but quite softly; Lieutenant Leighat the rear of the first party, so as to be with Miss Ross, and CaptainDyer in the rear of all, hiding, poor fellow, all he must have felt, andseeming to give up every thought to the escape, and that only. 

STORY ONE, CHAPTER TWENTY. 

I could just make out the great looming figure of an elephant, as wemarched slowly on, when I was startled by a low sort of wimmering noise, followed directly after by a grunting on my right. 

"What's that?" says Captain Dyer. Then in an instant: "Threes right!"he cried to the men, and they faced round, so as to cover the women andchildren. 

There was no further alarm, though, and all seemed as silent as couldbe; so once more under orders, the march was continued till we were outfrom amidst the houses, and travelling over the sandy dusty plain; whenthere was another alarm--we were followed--so said the men in the rear;and sure enough, looming up against the darkness--a mass of darknessitself--we could see an elephant. 

The men were faced round, and a score of pieces were directed at thegreat brute; but when within three or four yards, it was plain enoughthat it was alone, and Measles says aloud: "Blest if it isn't old_Nabob_!"

The old elephant it was; and passing through, he went up to where HarryLant was calling him softly, knelt down to order; and then climbing andclinging on as well as they could, the great brute's back was coveredwith women and children--the broad shallow howdah pretty well taking thelot--while the great beast seemed as pleased as possible to get backamongst his old friends, rubbing his trunk first on this one and then onthat; and thankful we were for the help he gave us, for how else weshould have got over that desert plain I can't say. 

I should think we had gone a good eight miles, when Measles ranges upclose aside me as I walked by the elephant, looking up at theriding-party from time to time, and trying to make out which was Lizzy, and pitying them too, for the children were fretful, and it was a sadtime they had of it up there. 

"They'll have it hot there some time to-morrow morning, Ike, " saysMeasles to me. 

"Where?" I said faintly, for I was nearly done for, and I did not takemuch interest in anything. 

"Begumbagh, " he says. And when I asked him what he meant he said: "Howmuch powder do you think there was down in that vault?"

"A good five hundredweight, " I said. 

"All that, " says Measles. "They'll have it hot, some of 'em. "

"What do you mean?" I said, getting interested. 

"Oh, nothing pertickler, mate; only been arranging for promotion forsome of 'em, since I can't get it myself I took the head out of one keg, and emptied it by the others, and made a train to where I've set acandle burning; and when that candle's burnt out, it will set light toanother; and that will have to burn out, when some wooden chips willcatch fire, and they'll blaze a good deal, and one way and anotherthere'll be enough to burn to last till, say, eight o'clock thismorning, by which time the beauties will have got into the place; andthen let 'em look out for promotion, for there's enough powder there tostartle two or three of 'em. "

"That's what you wanted the matches for, then?" I said. 

"That's it, matey; and what do you think of it, eh?"

"You've done wrong, my lad, I'm afraid, and--" I didn't finish; for justthen, behind us, there was a bright flashing light, followed by a dullthud; and looking back, we could see what looked like a littlefire-work; and though plenty was said just then, no one but Measles andI knew what that flash meant. 

"That's a dead failure, " growled Measles to me as we went on. "Ibelieve I am the unluckiest beggar that ever breathed. That oughtn't tohave gone off for hours yet, and now it'll let 'em know we're gone, andthat's all. "

I did not say anything, for I was too weak and troubled, and how I keptup as I did, I don't know to this day. 

The morning broke at last with the knowledge that we were three miles tothe right of the tank Captain Dyer had meant to reach. For a fewminutes, in a quiet stern way, he consulted with Lieutenant Leigh as towhat should be done--whether to turn off to the tank, or to press on. The help received from old _Nabob_ made them determine to press on; andafter a short rest, and a better arrangement for those who were to rideon the elephant, we went on in the direction of Wallahbad, I, for mypart, never expecting to reach it alive. Many a look back did I give tosee if we were followed, but it was not until we were within sight of atemple by the roadside, that there was the news spread that there wereenemies behind; and though I was ready enough to lay the blame uponMeasles, all the same they must have soon found out our flight, andpursued us. 

The sun could never have been hotter nor the ground more parched anddusty than it was now. We were struggling on to reach that temple, which we might perhaps be able to hold till help came; for two men hadbeen sent on to get assistance; though of all those sent, one and allwere waylaid and cut down, long before they could reach our friends. But we did not know that then; and in the full hope that before long weshould have help, we crawled on to the temple, but only to find it sowide and exposed, that in our weak condition it was little better thanbeing in the open. There was a building, though, about a hundred yardsfarther on, and towards that we made, every one rousing himself for whatwas really the last struggle, for not a quarter of a mile off, there wasa yelling crowd of bloodhounds in eager pursuit. 

It was with a panting rash that we reached the place, to find it musthave been the house of the collector of the district; but it was all onewrack and ruin--glass, tables, and chairs smashed; hangings and carpetsburnt or ragged to pieces, and in one or two places, blood-stains on thewhite floor, told a terrible tale of what had taken place not many daysbefore. 

The elephant stopped and knelt, and the women and children were passedin as quickly as possible; but before all could be got in, about a dozenof the foremost mutineers were down upon us with a savage rush--I sayus, but I was helpless, and only looking on from inside--two of ourfellows were cut down in an instant, and the others borne back by thefierce charge. Then followed a desperate struggle, ending in the blackfellows dragging off Miss Ross and one of the children that she held. 

They had not gone many yards, though, before Captain Dyer and LieutenantLeigh seemed to see the peril together, and shouting to our men, swordin hand they went at the black fiends, well supported by half-a-dozen ofour poor wounded chaps. 

There was a rush, and a cloud of dust; then there was the noise of yellsand cheers, and Captain Dyer shouting to the men to come on; and it allacted like something intoxicating on me, for, catching up a musket, Iwas making for the door, when I felt an arm holding me back, and I didwhat I must have done as soon as I got outside--reeled and fainted deadaway. 

STORY ONE, CHAPTER TWENTY ONE. 

It was a couple of hours after when I came to, and became sufficientlysensible to know that I was lying with my head in Lizzy's lap, and HarryLant close beside me. It was very dim, and the heat seemed stifling, sothat I asked Lizzy where we were, and she told me in the cellar of thehouse--a large wide vault, where the women, children, and wounded hadbeen placed for safety, while the noise and firing above told of whatwas taking place. 

I was going to ask about Miss Ross, but just then I caught sight of hertrying to support her sister, and to keep the children quiet. 

As I got more used to the gloom, I made out that there was a small irongrating on one side, through which came what little light and air wegot; on the other, a flight of stone steps leading up to where thestruggle was going on. There was a strong wooden door at the top ofthis, and twice that door was opened for a wounded man to be broughtdown; when, coolly as if she were in barracks, there was that noblewoman, Mrs Bantem, tying up and binding sword-cuts and bayonet-thrustsas she talked cheerily to the men. 

The struggle was very fierce still, the men who brought down the woundedhurrying away, for there was no sign of flinching; but soon they wereback with another poor fellow, who was now whimpering, now mutteringfiercely. "If I'd only have had--confound them!--if I'd only hadanother cartridge or two, I wouldn't have cared, " he said as they laidhim down close by me; "but I always was the unluckiest beggar on theface of the earth. They've most done for me, Ike, and no wonder, forit's all fifty to one up there, and I don't believe a man of ours has ashot left. "

Again the door closed on the two men who had brought down poor Measles, hacked almost to pieces; and again it was opened, to bring down anotherwounded man, and this one was Lieutenant Leigh. They laid him down, andwere off back up the steps, when there was a yelling, like as if someevil spirits had broken loose, and as the door was opened, Captain Dyerand half-a-dozen more were beaten back, and I thought they would havebeen followed down--but no; they stood fast in that doorway, CaptainDyer and the six with him, while the two fellows who had been downleaped up the stairs to support them, so that, in that narrow opening, there were eight sharp British bayonets, and the captain's sword, makingsuch a steel hedge as the mutineers could not pass. 

They could not contrive either to fire at our party, on account of thewall in front, and every attempt at an entrance was thwarted; but we allknew that it was only a question of time, for it was impossible for manto do more. 

There seemed now to be a lull, and only a buzzing of voices above us, mingled with a groan and a dying cry now and then, when I quite forgotmy pain once more on hearing poor Harry Lant, who had for some time beenquite off his head, and raving, commence talking in a quiet sort of way. 

"Where's Ike Smith?" he said. "It's all dark here; and I want to saygood-bye to him. "

I was kneeling by his side the next minute, holding his hand. 

"God bless you, Ike, " he said; "and God bless her. I'm going, old mate;kiss her for me, and tell her that if she hadn't been made for you, Icould have loved her very dearly. "

What could I do or say, when the next minute Lizzy was kneeling on hisother side, holding his hand?

"God bless you both, " he whispered. "You'll get out of the troubleafter all; and don't forget me. "

We promised him we would not, as well as we could, for we were bothchoked with sorrow; and then he said, talking quickly: "Give poor oldSam Measles my tobacco-box, Ike, the brass one, and shake hands with himfor me; and now I want Mother Bantem. "

She was by his side directly, to lift him gently in her arms, callinghim her poor gallant boy, her brave lad, and no end of fond expressions. 

"I never had a bairn, Harry, " she sobbed; "but if I could have had one, I'd have liked him to be like you, my own gallant, light-hearted soldierboy; and you were always to me as a son. "

"Was?" says Harry softly. "I'm glad of it, for I never knew what it wasto have a mother. "

He seemed to fall off to sleep after that, when, no one noticing them, those two children came up, and the first I heard of it was little Clivecrying: "Ally Lant--Ally Lant, open eyes, and come and play wis elfant. "

I started, and looked up to see one of those little innocents--his facesmeared, and his little hands all dabbled with blood, trying to openpoor Harry Lant's eyes with his tiny fingers. 

"Why don't Ally Lant come and play with us?" says the other; and justthen he opened his eyes, and looked at them with a smile, when in amoment I saw what was happening, for that poor fellow's last act was toget those two children's hands in his, as if he felt that he should liketo let his last grasp in this world be upon something innocent; and thenthere was a deepening of that smile into a stern look, his lips moved, and all was over; while I was too far off to hear his last words. 

But there was one there who did hear them, and she told me afterwards, sobbing as though her heart would break. 

"Poor Harry, poor light-hearted Harry, " Mother Bantem said. "And didyou see the happy smile upon his face as he passed away, clasping thosetwo poor children's hands--so peaceful, so quiet, after all hissuffering; forgetting all then, but what seemed like two angels' facesby his dying pillow, for he said, Ike, he said--"

Poor Mother Bantem broke down here, and I thought about what Harry'sdying pillow had been--her faithful, old, motherly breast. But sheforced back her sobs, and wiped the tears from her rough, plain face, asshe said in low, reverent tones: "Poor Harry! His last words: `Of suchis the kingdom of Heaven. '"

Death was very busy amongst our poor company, and one--two--three morepassed away there, for they were riddled with wounds; and then I sawthat, in spite of all that could be done, Lieutenant Leigh would be thenext. He had received his death-wound, and he knew it too; and now helay very still, holding tightly by Miss Ross's hand, while she kneltbeside him. 

Captain Dyer, with his eight men, all left, were still keeping the door;but of late they had not been interfered with, and the poor fellows wereable to do one another a good turn in binding up wounds. But what allwere now suffering for want of, was water; and beyond a few drops in oneor two of the bottles carried by the women, there was none to be had. 

As for me, I could only lie there helpless, and in a half-dreamy way, see and listen to all that was going on. The spirit in me was good tohelp; but think of my state--going for days with that cut on the face, and a broken arm, and in that climate. 

I was puzzling myself about this time as to what was going to happennext, for I could not understand why the rebels were so quiet; but thenext minute I was watching Lieutenant Leigh, and thinking about themorning when we saw Captain Dyer bound to the muzzle of thenine-pounder. 

Could he have been thinking about the same thing? I say yes, for all atonce he started right up, looking wild and excited. He had hold of MissRoss's hand; but he threw it from him, as he called out: "Now, my lads, a bold race, and a short one. We must bring them in. Spike the guns--cut the cords. Now, then--Elsie or death. Are you ready there?Forward!"

That last word rang through the vault we were in, and Captain Dyer randown the steps, his hacked sword hanging from his wrist by the knot. But he was too late to take his messmate's hand in his, and say_farewell_, if that had been his intention, for Lieutenant Leigh hadfallen back; and that senseless figure by his side was to all appearanceas dead, when, with a quivering lip, Captain Dyer gently lifted her, andbore her to where, half stupefied, Mrs Colonel Maine was sitting. 

STORY ONE, CHAPTER TWENTY TWO. 

I got rather confused, and am to this day, about how the time went;things that only took a few minutes seeming to be hours in happening, and what really did take a long time gliding away as if by magic. Ithink I was very often in a half-delirious state; but I can wellremember what was the cause of the silence above. 

Captain Dyer was the first to see, and taking a rifle in his hand, hewhispered an order or two; and then he, with two more, rushed into thepassage, and got the door drawn towards us, for it opened outwards; butin so doing, he slipped on the floor, and fell with a bayonet-thrustthrough his shoulder, when, with a yell of rage--it was no cheer thistime--our men dashed forward, and dragged him in; the door was pulledto, and held close; and then those poor wounded fellows--heroes I call'em--stood angrily muttering. 

I think I got more excited over that scene than over any part of thestraggle, and all because I was lying there helpless; but it was of nouse to fret, though I lay there with the weak tears running down mycheeks, as that brave man was brought down, and laid near the grating, with Mother Bantem at work directly to tear off his coat, and begin tobandage, as if she had been brought up in a hospital. 

The door was forsaken, for there was a new guard there, that no onewould try to pass, for the silence was explained to us all first, therewas a loud yelling and shrieking outside; and then there was a littlethin blue wreath of smoke beginning to curl under the door, crawlingalong the top step, and collecting like so much blue water, to spreadvery slowly; for the fiends had been carrying out their wounded anddead, and were now going to burn us where we lay. 

I can recollect all that; for now a maddening sense of horror seemed tocome upon me, to think that those few poor souls left were to be slainin such a barbarous way, after all the gallant struggle for life; butwhat surprised me was the calm, quiet way in which all seemed to takeit. 

Once, indeed, the men had a talk together, and asked the women to jointhem in a rush through the passage; but they gave up the thoughtdirectly, for they knew that if they could get by the flames, there weremore cruel foes outside, waiting to thrust them back. 

So they all sat down in a quiet, resigned way, listening to the crackleoutside the door, watching the thin smoke filter through the crevices, and form in clouds, or pools, according to where it came through. 

And you'd have wondered to see those poor fellows, how they acted: why, Joe Bantem rubbed his face with his handkerchief, smoothed his hair andwhiskers, and then got his belts square, as if off out on parade, beforegoing and sitting quietly down by his wife. 

Measles lay very still, gently humming over the old child's hymn, _Oh!that'll be joyful_, but only to burst out again into a fit of grumbling. 

Another went and knelt down in a corner, where he stayed; the rest shookhands all round, and then, seeing Captain Dyer sitting up, and sensible, they went and saluted him, and asked leave to shake hands with him, quite upsetting him, poor fellow, as he called them, in a faint voice, his "brave lads, " and asked their pardon, if he'd ever been too harshwith them. 

"God bless you! no, sir, " says Joe Bantem, jumping up, and shaking thehand himself, "which _that_ you've never been, but always a good officeras your company loved. Keep a brave heart, my boys, it'll soon be over. We've stood in front of death too many times now to shew thewhite-feather. Hurray for Captain Dyer, and may he have his regiment inthe tother land, and we be some of his men!"

Joe Bantem gave a bit of a reel as he said this, and then he'd havefallen if it hadn't been for his wife; and though his was rather stronglanguage, you see it must be excused, for, leave alone his wounds, andthe mad feeling they'd bring on, there was a wild excitement on the menthen, brought on by the fighting, which made them, as you may say, half-drunk. 

We must all have been choked over and over again, but for that grating;for the hotter the fire grew above, the finer current of air swept in. The mutineers could not have known of it, or one of their first actsmust have been to seal it up. But it was half-covered by some creepingflower, which made it invisible to them, and so we were able to breathe. 

And now it may seem a curious thing, but I'm going to say a little moreabout love. A strange time, you'll perhaps say, when those poor peoplewere crouching together in that horrible vault, expecting their deathmoment by moment. But that's why it was, and not from any want ofretiring modesty. I believe that those poor souls wished to shew thosethey loved how true was that feeling; and therefore it was that wifecrept to husband's side and Lizzy Green, forgetting all else now, placedher arms round my neck, and her lips to mine, and kissed me again andagain. 

It was no time for scruples; and thus it was that, being close to them, I heard Miss Ross, kneeling by the side of Captain Dyer, ask him, sobbing bitterly the while--ask him to forgive her, while he lookedalmost cold and strange at her, till she whispered to him long andearnestly, when I knew that she must be telling him all about the eventsof that morning. It must have been, for with a cry of joy I saw himbend towards her, when she threw her arms round him, and clasped hispoor bleeding form to her breast. 

They were so when I last looked upon them, and every one seemed lost inhis or her own suffering, all save those two children, one of whom wasasleep on Mrs Maine's lap, and the other playing with the gold knot ofCaptain Dyer's sword. 

Then came a time of misty smoke and heat, and the crackling of woodwork;but all the while there was a stream of hot pure air rushing in at thatgrating to give us life. 

We could hear the black fiends running round and round the burningbuilding, yelling, and no doubt ready to thrust back any one who triedto get out. But there seemed then to come another misty time, fromwhich I was roused by Lizzy whispering to me: "Is it very near now?"

"What?" I said faintly. 

"Death, " she whispered, with her lips close to my ear. "If it is, prayGod that he will never let us part again in the land where all ispeace?"

I tried to answer her, but I could not, for the hot, stifling blindingsmoke was now in my throat, when the yelling outside seemed to increase. There was a loud rushing sound; the trampling of horses; the jinglingof cavalry sabres; a loud English hurray; and a crash; and I knew thatthere was a charge of horse sweeping by. Then came the hurried beatingof feet, the ring of platoon after platoon of musketry, a rapid, squandering, skirmishing fire; more yelling, and more English cheers;the rush, again, of galloping horses; and, by slow degrees, the sound ofa fierce skirmish, growing more and more distant till there came anotherrapid beating of hoofs, a sudden halt, the jingle and rattle of harness, and a moment after, bim--bom--bom--bom! at regular intervals; and Iwaved my hand, and gave a faint cheer, for I could mentally see it all:a troop of light-horse had charged twice; the infantry had come up atthe double; and now here were the horse-artillery, with their lightsix-pounders, playing upon the retreating rebels where the cavalry werenot cutting them up. 

That faint cheer of mine brought out some more; and then there was aterrible silence, for the relief seemed to have come too late; but acouple of our men crawled to the grating, where the air reviving them, they gave another "Hurray!" which was answered directly. 

And then there was a loud shout, the excited buzz of voices, thecrashing of a pioneer's axe against the framework of the grating; andafter a hard fight, from which our friends were beaten back again andagain, we poor wretches, nearly all insensible, were dragged out about aquarter of an hour before the burning house fell with a crash. Thenthere was a raging whirlwind of flame, and smoke, and sparks, and thecellar was choked up with the burning ruin. 

STORY ONE, CHAPTER TWENTY THREE. 

How well I remember coming to myself as I lay there on the grass, withour old surgeon, Mr Hughes, kneeling by my side; for it was our own menthat formed the infantry of the column, with a troop of lancers, and oneof horse-artillery. There was Colonel Maine kneeling by his wife, who, poor soul, was recovering fast, and him turning from her to thechildren, and back again; while it was hard work to keep our men fromfollowing up the pursuit, now kept up by the lancers andhorse-artillery, so mad and excited were they to find only eight woundedmen out of the company they had left. 

But, one way and another, the mutineers paid dear for what sufferingthey caused us. I can undertake to say that, for every life they took, half-a-dozen of their own side fell--the explosion swept away, Isuppose, quite fifty, just as they had attempted a surprise, and cameover from the south side in a night-attack; while the way in which theywere cut up in the engagement was something awful. 

For, anxious beyond measure at not hearing news of the party left inBegumbagh, Colonel Maine had at length obtained permission to go roundby that station, reinforce the troops, and then join the general byanother route. 

They were making forced marches, when they caught sight of the rebelsyelling round the burning building, fully a couple of hundred beingoutside; when, not knowing of the sore strait of those within, they hadcharged down, driving the murderous black scoundrels before them like somuch chaff. 

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But you must not think that our pains were at an end. Is it not told inthe pages of history how for long enough it was a hard fight for astanding in India, and how our troops were in many places sore put toit; while home after home was made desolate by the most cruel outrages. It was many a long week before we could be said to be in safety; but Idon't know that I suffered much beyond the pains of that arm, or ratherthat stump, for our surgeon, Mr Hughes, when I grumbled a little at histaking it off, told me I might be very thankful that I had escaped withlife, for he had never known of such a case before. 

But it was rather hard lying alone there in the temporary hospital, missing the tender hands that one loved. 

And yet I have no right to say quite alone, for poor old Measles was onone side, and Joe Bantem on the other, with Mrs Bantem doing all shecould for us three, as well as five more of our poor fellows. 

More than once I heard Mr Hughes talk about the men's wounds, and sayit was wonderful how they could live through them; but live they allseemed disposed to, except poor Measles, who was terrible bad anddelirious, till one day, when he could hardly speak above a whisper, hesays to me--being quite in his right mind: "I daresay some of you chapsthink that I'm going to take my discharge; but all the same, you'rewrong, for I mean to go in now for promotion!"

He said "now;" but what he did then was to go in for sleep--and sleep hedid for a good four-and-twenty hours--when he woke up grumbling, andcalling himself the most unlucky beggar that ever breathed. 

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Time went on; and one by one we poor fellows got out of hospital cured;but I was the last; and it was many months after, that, at his wish, Icalled upon Captain--then Major--Dyer, at his house in London. For, during those many months, the mutiny had been suppressed, and ourregiment had been ordered home. 

I was very weak and pale, and I hadn't got used to this empty sleeve, and things looked very gloomy ahead; but, somehow, that day when Icalled at Major Dyer's seemed the turning-point; for, to a poor soldierthere was something very soothing for your old officer to jump up, withboth hands outstretched to catch yours, and to greet you as warmly asdid his handsome, bonny wife. 

They seemed as if they could hardly make enough of me; but the sight oftheir happiness made me feel low-spirited; and I felt no better whenMrs Dyer--God bless her!--took my hand in hers, and led me to the nextroom, where she said there was an old friend wanted to see me. 

I felt that soft jewelled hand holding mine, and I heard the door closeas Mrs Dyer went out again, and then I stood seeing nothing--hearingnothing--feeling nothing, but a pair of clinging arms round my neck, anda tear-wet face pressed to mine. 

And did that make me feel happy?

No! I can say it with truth. For as the mist cleared away from myeyes, and I looked down on, to me, the brightest, truest face the sunever shone on, there was a great sorrow in my heart, as I told myselfthat it was a sin and a wrong for me, a poor invalided soldier, to thinkof taking advantage of that fine handsome girl, and tying her down toone who was maimed for life. 

And at last, with the weak tears running down my cheeks, I told her ofhow it could not be: that I should be wronging her, and that she mustthink no more of me, only as a dear friend; when there is that amount offolly in this world, that my heart swelled, and a great ball seemedrising in my throat, and I choked again and again, as those arms clungtighter and tighter round my neck, and Lizzy called me her hero, and herbrave lad who had saved her life again and again; and asked me to takeher to my heart, and keep her there; for her to try and be to me aworthy loving wife--one that would never say a bitter word to me as longas she lived. 

I said that there was so much folly in this world, so how can you wonderat me catching it of her, when she was so close that I could feel herbreath upon my cheeks, my hair, my eyes, as once more, forgetting all inher love, she kissed me again and again. How, then, could I help, butwith that one hand press her to my heart, and go the way that weak heartof mine wished. 

I know it was wrong; but how can one always fight against weakness. And, to tell you the truth, I had fought long enough--so long that Iwished for peace. And I must say this, too, you must not be hard onLizzy, and think that it would have been better for her to have let medo a little more of the courting: there are exceptional cases, and thiswas one. 

I had a true friend in Major Dyer, and to him I owe my presentposition--not a very grand one; but speaking honestly as a man, I don'tbelieve, if I had been a general, some one at home could think more ofme; while, as to this empty sleeve, she's proud of it, and says that allthe country is the same. 

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Wandering about as a regiment is, one does not often have a chance tosee one's old messmates; but Sergeant and Mrs Bantem and SergeantMeasles did have tea and supper with us one night here in London, MrsBantem saying that Measles was as proud of his promotion as a dog withtwo tails, though Measles did say he was an unlucky beggar, or he'd havebeen a captain. And, my! what a night we did have of that, without onedrawback, only Measles would spit on my wife's Brussels carpet; and sowe did have a night last year when the old regiment was stationed atEdinburgh, and the wife and me had a holiday, and went down and sawColonel and Mrs Maine, and those children grown up a'most into a manand woman. But Colonel Dyer had exchanged into another regiment, andthey say he is going to retire on half-pay, on account of his woundtroubling him. 

We fought our old battles over again on those nights; and we did notforget the past and gone; for Mrs Bantem stood up after supper, withher stiff glass of grog in her hand--a glass into which I saw a coupleof tears fall--as she spoke of the dead--the brave men who fell indefence of the defenceless and innocent, hoping that the earth laylightly on the grave of Lieutenant Leigh, while she proposed the memoryof brave Harry Lant. 

We drank that toast in silence; and more than one eye was wet as the oldscenes came back--scenes such as I hope may never fall to the lot of menagain to witness; for if there is ever a fervent prayer sent up to theMaker of All, by me, an old soldier, who has much to answer for, it iscontained in those words, so familiar to you all:

"Peace on Earth!" _Amen_. 

STORY TWO, CHAPTER ONE. 

THE GOLDEN INCUBUS. 

SIR JOHN DRINKWATER IS ECCENTRIC. 

"You're an old fool, Burdon, and it's all your fault. "

That's what Sir John said, as he shook his Malacca cane at me; and Isuppose it was my fault; but then, how could I see what was going tohappen?

It began in 1851. I remember it so well because that was the year ofthe Great Exhibition, and Sir John treated me to a visit there; and whenI'd been and was serving breakfast next morning, he asked me about it, and laughed and asked me if I'd taken much notice of the goldsmiths'work. I said I had, and that it was a great mistake to clean gold platewith anything but rouge. 

"Why?" he said. 

Because, I told him, if any of the plate-powder happened to be left inthe cracks, if it was rouge it gave a good effect; but if it was a whitepreparation, it looked dirty and bad. 

"Then we'll have all the chests open to-morrow, James Burdon, " he said;"and you shall give the old gold plate a good clean up with rouge, andI'll help you. "

"You, Sir John?"

He nodded. And the very next day he sent all the other servants to theExhibition, came down to my pantry, opened the plate-room, and put on anapron just like a servant would, and helped me to clean that gold plate. He got tired by one o'clock, and sat down upon a chair and looked at itall glistening as it was spread out on the dresser and shelves--somebright with polishing, some dull and dead and ancient-looking. Cups andbowls and salvers and round dishes covered with coats of arms; somebattered and bent, and some as perfect as on the day it left thegoldsmith's hands. 

I'd worked hard--as hard as I could, for sneezing, for I was doing thathalf the time, just as if I had a bad cold. For every cup or dish waskept in a green baize bag that fitted in one of the old ironbound oakchests, and these chests were lined with green baize. And all thisbeing exceedingly old, the moths had got in; and pounds and pounds ofpepper had been scattered about the baize, to keep them away. 

"I'll have a glass of wine, Burdon, " Sir John says at last; "and we'llput it all away again. It's very beautiful. That's Cellini work--real, " he says, as he took up a great golden bowl, all hammered andpunched and engraved. "But the whole lot of it is an incubus, for Ican't use it, and I don't want to make a show. "

"Take a glass yourself, my man, " he said, as I got him the sherry--afresh bottle from the outer cellar. "Ha! at a moderate computation thatold gold plate is worth a hundred thousand pounds; and a hundredthousand pounds at only three per cent in the funds, Burdon, would bethree thousand a year. So you see I lose that income by letting thisheap of old gold plate lie locked up in those chests. --Now, what wouldyou do with it, if it were yours?"

"Sell it, Sir John, and put it in houses, " I said sharply. 

"Yes, James Burdon; and a sensible thing to do. But you are a servant, and I'm a baronet; though I don't look one, do I?" he said, holding uphis red hands and laughing. 

"You always look a gentleman, Sir John, " I said; "and that's what youare. "

"Please God, I try to be, " he said sadly. "But I don't want the money, James; and these are all old family heirlooms that I hold in trust formy life, and have to hand over--bound in honour to do so--to my son. --Look!" he said, "at the arms and crest of the Boileaus on every piece. "

"Boileau, Sir John?"

"Well, Drinkwater, then. We translated the name when we came over toEngland. There; let's put it all away. It's a regular incubus. "

So it was all packed up again in the chests; for he wouldn't let mefinish cleaning it, saying it would take a week; and that it was morefor the sake of seeing and going over it, than anything, that he had hadit out. So we locked it all up again in the plate-room. And it tookfive waters hot as he could bear 'em to wash his hands; and even thenthere was some rouge left in the cracks, and in the old signet ring withthe coat of arms cut in the stone--same as that on the plate. 

I don't know how it was; perhaps I was out of sorts, but from that day Igot thinking about gold plate and what Sir John said about its worth. Iknew what "incubus" meant, for I went up in the library and looked outthe word in the big dictionary; and that plate got to be such an incubusto me that I went up to Sir John one morning and gave him warning. 

"But what for?" he said. "Wages?"

"No, Sir John. You're a good master, and her ladyship was a goodmistress before she was took up to heaven. "

"Hush, man, hush!" he says sharply. 

"And it'll break my heart nearly not to see young Master Barclay when hecomes back from school. "

"Then why do you want to go?"

"Well, Sir John, a good home and good food and good treatment's rightenough; but I don't want to be found some morning a-weltering in mygore. "

"Now, look here, James Burdon, " he says, laughing. "I trust you withthe keys of the wine-cellar, and you've been at the sherry. "

"You know better than that, Sir John. No, sir. You said that goldplate was an incubus, and such it is, for it's always a-sitting on me, so as I can't sleep o' nights. It's killing me, that's what it is. Some night I shall be murdered, and all that plate taken away. It ain'tsafe, and it's cruel to a man to ask him to take charge of it. "

He did not speak for a few minutes. 

"What am I to do, then, Burdon?"

"Some people send their plate to the bank, Sir John. "

"Yes, " he says; "some people do a great many things that I do not intendto do. --There; I shall not take any notice of what you said. "

"But you must, please, Sir John; I couldn't stay like this. "

"Be patient for a few days, and I'll have something done to relieveyou. "

I went down-stairs very uneasy, and Sir John went out; and next day, feeling quite poorly, after waking up ten times in the night, thinking Iheard people breaking in, as there'd been a deal of burglary inBloomsbury about that time, I got up quite thankful I was still alive;and directly after breakfast, the wine-merchant's cart came from SaintJames's Street with fifty dozen of sherry, as we really didn't want. Sir John came down and saw to the wine being put in bins; and then hehad all the wine brought from the inner cellar into the outer cellar, both being next my pantry, with a door into the passage just at the footof the kitchen stairs. 

"That's a neat job, Burdon, " said Sir John, as we stood in the farcellar all among the sawdust, and the place looking dark and damp, withits roof like the vaults of a church, and stone flag floor, but withevery bin empty. 

"Going to lay down some more wine here, Sir John?" I said; but hedidn't answer, only stood with a candle in the arched doorway, which waslike a passage six feet long, opening from one cellar into the other. Then he went up-stairs, and I locked up the cellar and put the keys inmy drawer. 

"He always was eccentric before her ladyship died, " I said to myself;"and now he's getting worse. "

I saw it again next morning, for Sir John gave orders, sudden-like, foreverybody to pack off to the country-house down by Dorking; and ofcourse everybody had to go, cook and housekeeper and all; and just as Iwas ready to start, I got word to stay. 

Sir John went off to his club, and I stayed alone in that old house inBloomsbury, with the great drops of perspiration dripping off me everytime I heard a noise, and feeling sometimes as if I could stand it nolonger; but just as it was getting dusk, he came back, and in his shortabrupt way, he says: "Now, Burdon, we'll go to work. "

I'd no idea what he meant till we went down-stairs, when he had thestrong-room door opened and the cellar too and then he made me help himcarry the old plate-chests right through my pantry into the farwine-cellar, and range them one after the other along one side. 

I wanted to tell him that they would not be so safe there; but I daren'tspeak, and it was not till what followed that I began to understand;for, as soon as we had gone through the narrow arched passage back tothe outer cellar, he laughed, and he says, "Now, we'll get rid of theincubus, Burdon. Fix your light up there, and I'll help. "

He did help; and together we got a heap of sawdust and hundreds of emptywine-bottles; and these we built up at the end of the arched entrancebetween the cellars from floor to ceiling, just as if it had been awine-bin, till the farther cellar was quite shut off with empty bottles. And then, if he didn't make me move the new sherry that had just comein and treat that the same, building up full bottles in front of theempty ones till the ceiling was reached once more, and the way in to thechests of gold plate shut up with wine-bottles two deep, one stack full, the other empty. 

He saw me shake my head, as if I didn't believe in it; and he laughedagain in his strange way, and said: "Wait a bit. "

Next morning I found he'd given orders, for the men came with a load ofbricks and mortar, and they set to work and built up a wall in front ofthe stacked-up bottles, regularly bricking up the passage, just as if itwas a bin of wine that was to be left for so many years to mature; afterwhich the wall was white-washed over, the men went away, and Sir Johnclapped me on the shoulder. "There, Burdon!" he said; "we've buried theincubus safely. Now you can sleep in peace. "

STORY TWO, CHAPTER TWO. 

WHY EDWARD GUNNING LEFT. 

It's curious how things get forgotten by busy people. In a few weeks Ileft off thinking about the hiding-place of all that golden plate; andafter a time I used to go into that first cellar for wine with myhalf-dozen basket in one hand, my cellar candlestick in the other, andnever once think about there being a farther cellar; while, though therewas the strong-room in my pantry with quite a thousand pounds-worth ofsilver in it--perhaps more--I never fancied anybody would come for that. 

Master Barclay came, and went back to school, and Sir John grew morestrange; and then an old friend of his died and left one little child, Miss Virginia, and Sir John took her and brought her to the old house inBloomsbury, and she became--bless her sweet face!--just like his own. 

Then, all at once I found that ten years had slipped by, and it set methinking about being ten years nearer the end, and that the years wererolling on, and some day another butler would sleep in my pantry, whileI was sleeping--well, you know where, cold and still--and that then SirJohn would be taking his last sleep too, and Master Barclay be, as itsays in the Scriptures, reigning in his stead. 

And then it was that all in a flash something seemed to say to me:Suppose Sir John has never told his lawyers about that buried goldplate, and left no writing to show where it is. I felt quite startled, and didn't know what to think. As far as I could tell, nobody but SirJohn and I knew the secret. Young Master Barclay certainly didn't, orelse, when I let him carry the basket for a treat, and went into thecellar to fetch his father's port, he, being a talking, lively, thoughtless boy, would have been sure to say something. His fatherought certainly to tell him some day; but suppose the master was takenbad suddenly with apoplexy and died without being able--what then?

I didn't sleep much that night, for once more that gold plate was beingan incubus, and I determined to speak to Sir John as an old familyservant should, the very next day. 

Next day came, and I daren't; and for days and days the incubus seemedto swell and trouble me, till I felt as if I was haunted. But Icouldn't make up my mind what to do, till one night, just before goingto bed, and then it came like a flash, and I laughed at myself for notthinking of it before. I didn't waste any time, but getting down myink-bottle and pens, I took a sheet of paper, and wrote as plainly as Icould about how Sir John Drinkwater and his butler James Burdon hadhidden all the chests of valuable old gold cups and salvers in the innerwine-cellar, where the entrance was bricked-up; and to make all sure, Iput down the date as near as I could remember in 1851, and the number ofthe house, 19 Great Grandon Street, Bloomsbury, because, though it wasnot likely, Sir John might move, and if that paper was found after I wasdead, people might go on a false scent, find nothing, and think I wasmad. 

I locked that paper up in my old desk, feeling all the while as if Iought to have had it witnessed; but people don't like to put their namesto documents unless they know what they're about, and of course Icouldn't tell anybody the contents of that. 

I felt satisfied as a man should who feels he has done his duty; andperhaps that's what made the time glide away so fast without anythingparticular happening. Sir John bought the six old houses like oursopposite, and gave twice as much for them as they were worth, becausesome one was going to build an Institution there, which might verylikely prove to be a nuisance. 

I don't remember anything else in particular, only that the houses wouldnot let well, because Sir John grew close and refused to spend money indoing them up. But there was the trouble with Edward Gunning, thefootman, a clever, good-looking young fellow, who had been apprenticedto a bricklayer and contractor, but took to service instead, he did nogood in that; for, in spite of all I could say, he would take more thanwas good for him, and then Sir John found him out. 

So Edward Gunning had to go; and I breathed more freely, and felt lessnervous. 

STORY TWO, CHAPTER THREE. 

MR BARCLAY THINKS FOR HIMSELF. 

So another ten years had slipped away; and the house opposite, which hadbeen empty for two years, was getting in very bad condition--I mean asto paper and paint. 

"Nobody will take it as it is, Sir John, " the agent said to him in mypresence. 

"Then it can be left alone, " he says, very gruffly. "Good-morning. "

"Well, Mr Burdon, " said the agent, as I gave him a glass of wine in mypantry, "it's a good thing he's so well off; but it's poison to my mindto see houses lying empty. " Which no doubt it was, seeing he had fiveper cent on the rents of all he let. 

Then Mr Barclay spoke to his father, and he had to go out with a fleain his ear; and when, two days later, Miss Virginia said something aboutthe house opposite looking so miserable, and that it was a pity therewere no bills up to say it was to let, Sir John flew out at her, andthat was the only time I ever heard him speak to her cross. 

But he was so sorry for it, that he sent me to the bank with a chequedirectly after, and I was to bring back a new fifty-pound note; and Iknow that was in the letter I had to give Miss Virginia, and orders tohave the carriage round, so that she might go shopping. 

Now, I'm afraid you'll say that Mr Barclay Drinkwater was right incalling me Polonius, and saying I was as prosy as a college don; but ifI don't tell you what brought all the trouble about, how are you tounderstand what followed? Old men have their own ways; and though I'mnot very old, I've got mine, and if I don't tell my story my way, I'mdone. 

Well, it wasn't a week after Mr Bodkin & Co, the agent, had that glassof wine in the pantry, that he came in all of a bustle, as he alwayswas, just as if he must get everything done before dark, and says he haslet the house, if Sir John approves. 

Not so easily done as you'd think, for Sir John wasn't, he said, goingto have anybody for an opposite neighbour; but the people might come andsee him if they liked. 

I remember it as well as if it was yesterday. Sir John was in a badtemper with a touch of gout--bin 27--'25 port, being rather an acidwine, but a great favourite of his. Miss Virginia had been crying. Thetrouble had been about Mr Barclay going away. He'd finished hisschooling at college, and was now twenty-seven and a fine stronghandsome fellow, as wanted to be off and see the world; but Sir Johntold him he couldn't spare him. 

"No, Bar, " he says in my presence, for I was bathing his foot--"if yougo away--I know you, you dog--you'll be falling in love with somesmooth-faced girl, and then there'll be trouble. You'll stop at home, sir, and eat and drink like a gentleman, and court Virginia like agentleman; and when she's twenty-one, you'll marry her; and you can bothtake care of me till I die, and then you can do as you like. "

Then Mr Barclay, looking as much like his father as he could with hisface turned red, said what he ought not to have said, and refused tomarry Miss Virginia; and he flung out of the room; while Miss Virginia--bless her for an angel!--must have known something of the cause of thetrouble--I'm afraid, do you know, it was from me, but I forget--and shewas in tears, when there was a knock and ring, and a lady's card wassent in for Sir John: "Miss Adela Mimpriss. "

It was about the house; and I had to show her in--a little, slight, elegantly dressed lady of about three-and-twenty, with big dark eyes, and a great deal of wavy hair. 

Sir John sent for Mr Barclay and Miss Virginia, to see if they approvedof her; and it was settled that she and her three maiden sisters were tohave the opposite house; and when the bell rang for me to show her out, Mr Barclay came and took the job out of my hands. 

"I'm very glad, " I heard him say, "and I hope we shall be the best ofneighbours;" and his face was flushed, and he looked very handsome;while, when they shook hands on the door-mat, I could see thebright-eyed thing smiling in his face and looking pleased; and thatshaking of the hands took a deal longer than it ought, while she gavehim a look that made me think if I'd had a daughter like that, she'dhave had bread-and-water for a week. 

Then the door was shut, and Mr Barclay stood on the mat, smilingstupid-like, not knowing as I was noticing him; and then he turnedsharply round and saw Miss Virginia on the stairs, and his face changed. 

"James Burdon, " I said to myself, "these are girls and boys no longer, but grown-up folk, and there's the beginning of trouble here. "

STORY TWO, CHAPTER FOUR. 

A LITTLE SKIRMISH. 

I didn't believe in the people opposite, in spite of their referencesbeing said to be good. You may say that's because of what followed; butit isn't for I didn't like the looks of the stiff elderly MissMimprisses; and I didn't like the two forward servants, though theyseemed to keep themselves to themselves wonderfully, and no man everallowed in the house. Worst of all, I didn't like that handsome youngMiss Adela, sitting at work over coloured worsted at the dining-room ordrawing-room window, for young Mr Barclay was always looking across ather; and though he grew red-faced, my poor Miss Virginia grew every daymore pale. 

They seemed very strange people over the way, and it was only sometimeson a Sunday that any one at our place caught a glimpse of them, and thenone perhaps would come to a window for a few minutes and sit and talk toMiss Adela--one of the elder sisters, I mean; and when I caught sight ofthem, I used to think that it was no wonder they had taken to dressingso primly and so plain, for they must have given up all hope of gettinghusbands long before. 

Mr Barclay suggested to Sir John twice in my hearing that he shouldinvite his new tenants over to dinner; and--once, in a hesitating way, hinted something about Miss Virginia calling. But Sir John onlygrunted; while I saw my dear young lady dart such an indignant look atMr Barclay as made him silent for the rest of the evening, and seemashamed of what he had said. 

I talked about it a good deal to Tom as I sat before my pantry fire ofan evening; and he used to leap up in my lap and sit and look up at mewith his big eyes, which were as full of knowingness at those times asthey were stupid and slit-like at others. He was a great favourite ofmine was Tom, and had been ever since I found him, a half-starved kittenin the area, and took him in and fed him till he grew up the fine cat hewas. 

"There's going to be trouble come of it, Tom, " I used to say; and to mymind, the best thing that could have happened for us would have been forover-the-way to have stopped empty; for, instead of things going onsmoothly and pleasantly, they got worse every day. Sir John said verylittle, but he was a man who noticed a great deal. Mr Barclay grewrestless and strange, but he never said a word now about going away. While, as for Miss Virginia, she seemed to me to be growing older andmore serious in a wonderful way; but when she was spoken to, she hadalways a pleasant smile and a bright look, though it faded away againdirectly, just as the sunshine does when there are clouds. She used topass the greater part of her time reading to Sir John, and she kept hisaccounts for him and wrote his letters; and one morning as I wasclearing away the breakfast things, Mr Barclay being there, reading thepaper, Sir John says sharply: "Those people opposite haven't paid theirfirst quarter's rent. "

No one spoke for a moment or two, and then in a fidgety sharp way, MrBarclay says: "Why, it was only due yesterday, father. "

"Thank you, sir, " says Sir John, in a curiously polite way; "I knowthat; but it was due yesterday, and it ought to have been paid. --'Ginny, write a note to the Misses Mimpriss with my compliments, and say I shallbe obliged by their sending the rent. "

Miss Virginia got up and walked across to the writing-table; and I wenton very slowly clearing the cloth, for Sir John always treated me as ifI was a piece of furniture; but I felt uncomfortable, for it seemed tome that there was going to be a quarrel. 

I was right; for as Miss Virginia began to write, Mr Barclay crushedthe newspaper up in his hands and said hotly: "Surely, father, you arenot going to insult those ladies by asking them for the money the momentit is due. "

"Yes, I am, sir, " says the old gentleman sharply; "and you mind your ownbusiness. When I'm dead, you can collect your rents as you like; whileI live, I shall do the same. "

Miss Virginia got up quickly and went and laid her hand upon Sir John'sbreast without saying a word; but her pretty appealing act meant a deal, and the old man took the little white hand in his and kissed ittenderly. "You go and do as I bid you, my pet, " he said; "and you, Burdon, wait for the note, take it over, and bring an answer. "

"Yes, Sir John, " I said quietly; and I heard Miss Virginia give a littlesob as she went and sat down and began writing. Then I saw that thetrouble was coming, and that there was to be a big quarrel betweenfather and son. 

"Look here, father, " says Mr Barclay, getting up and walking about theroom, "I never interfere with your affairs--"

"I should think not, sir, " says the old man, very sarcastic-like. 

"But I cannot sit here patiently and see you behave in so rude a way tothose four ladies who honour you by being your tenants. "

"Say I feel greatly surprised that the rent was not sent over yesterday, my dear, " says Sir John, without taking any notice of his son. 

"Yes, uncle, " says Miss Virginia. She always called him "uncle, " thoughhe wasn't any relation. 

"It's shameful!" cried Mr Barclay. "The result will be that they willgive you notice and go. "

"Good job, too, " said Sir John. "I don't like them, and I wish they hadnot come. "

"How can you be so unreasonable, father?" cried the young man hotly. 

"Look here, Bar, " says Sir John--("Fold that letter and seal it with myseal, 'Ginny")--"look here, Bar. "

I glanced at the young man, and saw him pass his hand across hisforehead so roughly that the big signet ring he wore--the old-fashionedone Sir John gave him many years before, and which fitted so tightly nowthat it wouldn't come over the joint--made quite a red mark on his brow. 

"I don't know what you are going to say, father, " cried Mr Barclayquickly; "but, for Heaven's sake, don't treat me as a boy any longer, and I implore you not to send that letter. "

There was a minute's silence, during which I could hear Mr Barclaybreathing hard. Then Sir John began again. "Look here, sir, " he said. "Over and over again, you've wanted to go away and travel, and I've saidI didn't want you to go. During the past three months you've alteredyour mind. "

"Altered my mind, sir?" says the young man sharply. 

"Yes, sir; and I've altered mine. That's fair. Now, you don't want togo, and I want you to. "

"Uncle!"

"Have you done that letter, my pet?--Yes? That's well. Now, you standthere and take care of me, for fear Mr Barclay should fly in apassion. "

"Sir, I asked you not to treat me like a boy, " says Mr Barclaybitterly. 

"I'm not going to, " says Sir John, as he sat playing with MissVirginia's hand, while I could see that the poor darling's face wasconvulsed, and she was trying to hide the tears which streamed down. "I'm going to treat you as a man. You can have what money you want. Beoff for a year's travel. Hunt, shoot, go round the world, what youlike; but don't come back here for a twelvemonth. --Burdon, take thatletter over to the Misses Mimpriss, and wait for an answer. "

I took the note across, wondering what would be said while I was gone, and knowing why Sir John wanted his son to go as well as he did, andMiss Virginia too, poor thing. The knocker seemed to make the houseopposite echo very strangely, as I thumped; but when the door was openedin a few minutes, everything in the hall seemed very proper and prim, while the maid who came looked as stiff and disagreeable as could be. 

"For Miss Mimpriss, from Sir John Drinkwater, " I said; "and I'll waitfor an answer. "

"Very well, " says the woman shortly. 

"I'll wait for an answer, " I said, for she was shutting the door. 

"Yes; I heard, " she says, and the door was shut in my face. 

"Hang all old maids!" I said. "They needn't be afraid of me;" andthere I waited till I heard steps again and the door was opened; and theill-looking woman says in a snappish tone: "Miss Adela Mimpriss'scompliments, and she'll come across directly. "

"Any one would think I was a wild beast, " I said to myself, as I wentback and gave my message, finding all three in the room just as I hadleft them when I went away. 

STORY TWO, CHAPTER FIVE. 

JAMES BURDON SMELLS FIRE. 

Mr Barclay followed me out, and as soon as we were in the hall, "Burdon, " he says, "you have a bunch of small keys, haven't you?"

"Yes, Master Barclay, down in my pantry. "

"Lend them to me: I want to try if one of them will fit a lock of mine. "

He followed me down; and I was just handing them to him, when there wasa double knock and a ring, and I saw him turn as red as a boy of sixteenfound out at some trick. 

I hurried up to open the door, leaving him there, and found that it wasMiss Adela Mimpriss. 

"Will you show me in to Sir John?" she says, smiling; and I did so, leaving them together; and going down-stairs, to see Mr Barclaystanding before the fire and looking very strange and stern. He did notsay anything, but walked up-stairs again; and I could hear him pacing upand down the hall for quite a quarter of an hour before the bell rang;and then I got up-stairs to find him talking very earnestly to MissAdela Mimpriss, and she all the time shaking her head and trying to pullaway her hand. 

I pretended not to see, and went into the dining-room slowly, to findMiss Virginia down on her knees before Sir John, and him with his twohands lying upon her bent head, while she seemed to be sobbing. 

"I did not ring, Burdon, " he said huskily. 

"Beg pardon, Sir John; the bell rang. "

"Ah, yes. I forgot--only to show that lady out. "

I left the room; and as I did so, I found the front door open, and MrBarclay on the step, looking across at Miss Adela Mimpriss, who was justtripping up the steps of the house opposite; and I saw her use alatchkey, open the door, and look round as she was going in, to give MrBarclay a laughing look; and then the door was closed, and my youngmaster shut ours. 

That day and the next passed quietly enough; but I could see veryplainly that there was something wrong, for there was a cold way ofspeaking among our people in the dining-room, the dinner going offterribly quiet, and Sir John afterwards not seeming to enjoy his wine;while Miss Virginia sat alone in the drawing-room over her tea; and MrBarclay, after giving me back my keys, went up-stairs, and I know he waslooking out, for Miss Adela Mimpriss was sitting at the window opposite, and I saw her peep up twice. 

This troubled me a deal, for, after all those years, I never felt like aservant, but as if I was one of them; and it made me so upset, that, asI lay in my bed in the pantry that night wondering whether Mr Barclaywould go away and forget all about the young lady opposite, and comeback in a year and be forgiven, and marry Miss Virginia, I suddenlythought of my keys. 

"That's it, " I said. "It was to try the lock of his portmanteau. Hemeans to go, and it will be all right, after all. "

But somehow, I couldn't sleep, but lay there pondering, till at last Ibegan to sniff, and then started up in bed, thinking of Edward Gunning. 

"There's something wrong somewhere, " I said to myself, for quite plainlyI could smell burning--the oily smell as of a lamp, a thing I knew wellenough, having trimmed hundreds. 

At first I thought I must be mistaken; but no--there it was, strong; andjumping out of bed, I got a light; and to show that I was not wrong, there was my cat Tom looking excited and strange, and trotting about thepantry in a way not usual unless he had heard a rat. 

I dressed as quickly as I could, and went out into the passage. Alldark and silent, and the smell very faint. I went up-stairs and lookedall about; but everything was as I left it; and at last I went downagain to the pantry, thinking and wondering, with Tom at my heels, tofind that the smell had passed away. So I sat and thought for a bit, and then went to bed again; but I didn't sleep a wink, and somehow allthis seemed to me to be very strange. 

STORY TWO, CHAPTER SIX. 

A SUDDEN CHANGE. 

If any one says I played spy, I am ready to speak up pretty strongly inmy self-defence, for my aim always was to do my duty by Sir John mymaster; but I could not help seeing two or three things during the nextfortnight, and they all had to do with a kind of telegraphing going onfrom our house to the one over the way, where Miss Adela generallyappeared to be on the watch; and her looks always seemed to me to say:"No; you mustn't think of such a thing, " and to be inviting him all thetime. Then, all at once I thought I was wrong, for I went up as usualat half-past seven to take Mr Barclay's boots and his clothes which hadbeen brought down the night before, after he had dressed for dinner. Itapped and went in, just as I'd always done ever since he was a boy, andwent across to the window and drew the curtains. "Nice morning, MasterBarclay, " I said. "Half-past--" There I stopped, and stared at the bed, which all lay smooth and neat, as the housemaid had turned it down, forno one had slept in it that night. I was struck all of a heap, anddidn't know what to think. To me it was just like a silver spoon orfork being missing, and setting one's head to work to think whether itwas anywhere about the house. 

He hadn't stopped to take his wine with Sir John after dinner; but thatwas nothing fresh, for they'd been very cool lately. Then I hadn't seenhim in the drawing-room; but that was nothing fresh neither, for he hadavoided Miss Virginia for some little time. 

"It is very strange, " I thought, for I had not seen him go out; andthen, all at once I gave quite a start, for I felt that he must havedone what Sir John had told him to do--gone. 

"That won't do, " I said directly after. "He wouldn't have gone likethat;" and I went straight to Sir John's room and told him, as in dutybound, what I had found out, for Mr Barclay was not the young man to befast and stop out of nights and want the servants to screen him. Therewas something wrong, I felt sure, and so I said. 

"No, " said the old gentleman, as he sat up in bed, and then began todress; "he wouldn't go at my wish; but that girl over the way is playingwith him, and he is too proud to stand it any longer, besides beingmortified at making such an ass of himself. There's nothing wrong, Burdon. He has gone, and a good job too. "

Of course, I couldn't contradict my master; but I went up and examinedMr Barclay's room, to find nothing missing, not so much as a shirt or apair of socks, only his crush-hat, and the light overcoat from the brasspeg in the front hall; and I shook my head. 

Miss Virginia looked paler than ever at breakfast; but nothing more wassaid up-stairs. Of course, the servants gossiped; and as it was settledthat Mr Barclay had done what his father had told him, a week passedaway, and matters settled down with Miss Adela Mimpriss sitting at thewindow just as usual, doing worsted-work, and the old house looking asgrim as ever, and as if a bit of paint and a man to clean the windowswould have been a blessing to us all. 

Every time the postman knocked, Miss Virginia would start; and her eyesused to look so wild and large, that when I'd been to the little box andfound nothing from Mr Barclay, I used to give quite a gulp; and many'sthe time I've stood back in the dining-room and shook my fist at MissAdela sitting so smooth and handsome at the opposite house, and wishedshe'd been at the world's end before she came there. 

STORY TWO, CHAPTER SEVEN. 

A TERRIBLE DISCOVERY. 

Mr Barclay had been gone three weeks, and no news from him; and I wasbeginning to think that he had gone off in a huff all at once, though Ioften wondered how he would manage for want of money, when one night, asI sat nursing Tom, I thought I'd look through my desk, that I hadn'topened for three or four years, and have a look at a few old things I'dgot there--a watch Sir John gave me, but which I never wore; sixspade-ace guineas; and an old gold pin, beside a few odds and ends thatI'd had for a many years; and some cash. Tom didn't seem to like it, and he stared hard at the desk as I took it on my knees, opened it, lifted one of the flaps, and put my hand upon the old paper whichcontained the statement about the old gold plate. No; I did not. I putmy hand on the place where it ought to have been; but it wasn't there. 

"I must have put it in the other side, " I said to myself; and I openedthe other lid. 

Then I turned cold, and ran my hand here and there, wild-like, to stopat last with my mouth open, staring. The paper was gone! So was themoney, and every article of value that I had hoarded up. 

For a few minutes I was too much stunned even to think; and when at lastI could get my brain to work, I sat there, feeling a poor, broken, weakold man, and I covered my face with my hands and cried like a child. 

"To think of it!" I groaned at length--"him so handsome and so young--him whom I'd always felt so proud of--proud as if he'd been my own son. Why, it would break his father's heart if he knew. It's that woman'sdoing, " I cried savagely. "She turned his head, or he'd never have donesuch a cruel, base, bad act as to rob a poor old man like me. " For I'drecollected lending Mr Barclay my keys, and I felt that sooner than askhis father for money, he had taken what he could find, and gone. "Lethim!" I said savagely at last. "But he needn't have stolen them. I'dhave given him everything I'd got. I'd have sold out the hundred poundsI've got in the bank and lent him that. But he didn't know what he wasdoing, poor boy. That woman has turned his brain. "

"Ah, well!" I said at last bitterly, "it's my secret. Sir John shallnever know. He trusted me with one, and now his son--" I stopped shortthere, for I recollected the paper, and fell all of a tremble, thinkingof that gold plate, and that some one else knew of its hiding-place now;and I asked myself what I ought to do. For a long time I struggled; butat last I felt that, much as I wanted to hide Mr Barclay's cruelly meanact, I must not keep this thing a secret. "It's my duty to tell mymaster, " I said at last, "and I must. " So I went up to where Sir Johnwas sitting alone, pretending to enjoy his wine, but looking very yellowand old and sunken of face. "He's fretting about Master Barclay, " Isaid to myself, and I felt that I could not tell him that the lad hadtaken my little treasures, but that he must know about the paper, so Iup and told him only this at once; and that's why he said I was an oldfool, and that it was all my fault. 

"You old fool!" he cried excitedly, "what made you write such a paper?It was like telling all the world. "

"I thought it would be so shocking, Sir John, if we were both to die andthe things were forgotten. "

"Shocking? Be a good job, " he cried. "A man who has a lot of gold inhis care is always miserable. --Taken out of your desk, you say. When?"

"Ah, that I can't tell, Sir John. It might have been done years ago, for aught I know. "

"And the old gold plate all stolen and melted down, and spent. Herehave I been thinking you a trustworthy man. There; we must see to it atonce. I shan't rest till I know it is safe. "

It seemed to me then that he snatched at the chance of finding somethingto do to take his attention off his trouble, for when I asked him if Ishould get a bricklayer to come in, he turned upon me like a lion. "Burdon, " he said, "we'll get this job done, and then I shall have tomake arrangements for you to go into an imbecile ward. "

"Very good, Sir John, " I said patiently. 

"Very good!" he cried, laughing now. "There; be off, and get togetherwhat tools you have, and as soon as the servants have gone to bed, we'llgo and open the old cellar ourselves. "

STORY TWO, CHAPTER EIGHT. 

THE SIGNET RING. 

It was exactly twelve o'clock by the chiming timepiece in the hall. Just the hour for such a task, I felt with a sort of shiver, as Sir Johncame down to the pantry, where I had candles ready, and a small crowbarused for opening packing-cases, and a screw-driver. 

"Everybody seems quiet up-stairs, Burdon, " says Sir John, "so let's getto work at once. --But, hillo! just put out a lamp?"

"No, Sir John, " I said. "I often smell that now; but I've never beenable to make out what it is. "

"Humph! Strange, " he says; and then we went straight to the cellar, thegreat baize door at the top of the kitchen steps being shut; anddirectly after we were standing on the damp sawdust with the bins ofwine all round. 

"It hasn't been touched, apparently, and there seems to be no need; butI should like to see if it is all right. But we shall never get throughthere, Burdon, " he says, looking at the bricked-up wall, across the wayto the inner cellar. 

"I don't know, " I said, taking off my coat and rolling up my sleeves, tofind that though the highest price had been paid for that bricklaying, the cheat of a fellow who had the job had used hardly a bit of sand andbad lime, so that, after I had loosened one brick and levered it out, all the others came away one at a time quite clear of the mortar. 

"Never mind, " says Sir John. "Out of evil comes good. I'll try thatsherry too, Burdon, and we'll put some fresh in its place. But ifthat's left twenty years, we shall never live to taste it, eh?"

I shook my head sadly as I worked away in that arch, easily reaching thetop bricks, which were only six feet from the sawdust; and, as is oftenthe case, what had seemed a terrible job proved to be easy. 

"There, " he says; "the place will be sweeter now. We'll just have aglance at the old chests, and then we must build up the empty bottlesagain. To-morrow, I'll order in some more wine--for my son. "

He said that last so solemnly that I looked up at him as he stood therewith the light shining in his eyes. 

"As'll come back some day, sorry for the past, Sir John, " I said, "andready to do what you wish. "

"Please God, Burdon!" he says, bowing his head for a bit. Then helooked up quite sharply, and took a candle, and I the other. "Comealong, " he says in his old, quiet, stern way; and I was half afraid Ihad offended him, as he stepped in at the opening and stood at the mouthof the inner cellar. Then I heard him give a sharp sniff; and I smeltit too--that same odour of burnt oil. We neither of us spoke as wewalked over the damp black sawdust, both thinking of the likelihood offoul air being in the place; but we found we could breathe all right;and as we held up the candles, the light shone on the black-looking oldchests, every one with its padlocks and seals all right, just as we hadleft them all those years before. 

I looked up at Sir John, and he gave me a satisfied nod as he tried oneof the seals, and then we both stood as if turned to stone, for fromjust at my feet there came a dull knocking sound, and as I looked down, I could see the black sawdust shake. 

What I wanted to do was to run, for I felt that the place was haunted;but I couldn't move, and when I looked at Sir John, he was holding uphis right hand, as if to order me to be silent. Then he held his candledown, for there was another sound, but this time more of a grindingcracking in a dull sort of way, just as if some one was forcing an ironchisel in between the joints of the stones. Then there was a longpause, and I half thought it had been fancy; but soon after, as I stoodthere hardly able to breathe, the sawdust just in one place was heavedup about an inch. 

I was terribly alarmed, not knowing what to think; but Sir John wasbrave as brave, and he signed to me not to speak, and stood watchingtill there was a dull cracking sound, the sawdust was heaved up again, and all at once I seemed to get a hot puff of that burnt oily smellright in my nose. Then I began to understand, and felt afraid in adifferent fashion, as I knew that we had only got there just in time. 

The next minute Sir John made a movement toward me, took my candle andturned it upside down, so that it went out, and then pointed back towardthe outer cellar, as he put his lips to my ear:

"Iron bar!"

I stepped back softly, and got the iron bar from where it lay on theedge of a bin, and I was about to pick up the screw-driver, when Iremembered where the wooden mallet lay, and I picked up that beforestepping softly back to where Sir John was watching the floor; and now Icould see that the sawdust was higher in one place, as if a flagstonehad been heaved up a little at one end. 

There was no doubt about it, for, as I handed the crowbar, the end ofthe stone was wrenched up a little higher and then stuck; for it wastightly held by those on either side; but it was up far enough to let athin ray of dull light come up through the floor and shine on the sideof one of the old chests. 

It was a curious scene there, in that gloomy cellar: Sir John standingon one side, candle in his left, the iron bar in his right hand, and meon the other bending down ready with the mallet to hit over the head thefirst that should come up through the floor. For, though horriblyalarmed, I could understand now what it all meant--an attempt to stealthe gold in the chests, though how those who were working below hadmanaged to get there was more than I could have said. 

As we watched, the smell of the burnt oil came through, and I knew thatit must have been going on for a long time. 

All at once we could hear a low whispering, and then there was agrinding noise of iron against stone; the flag gritted and gave alittle, but it held fast all along; and I could understand that the manwho was trying to wrench it up had no room to work, and therefore nopower to wrench up the stone. Then came the faint whispering again, andit seemed to sound hollow. Then another grinding noise, and the end ofthe flag was moved a trifle higher, so that the line of light on the oldchest looked two or three inches broad. 

I stepped softly to Sir John and put my lips to his ear as thewhispering could be heard again, and I said softly: "Shall I fetch thepolice?"

Sir John for answer set his candle down upon the top of one of thechests and put it out with the bar as he whispered to me in turn: "Waita few moments. " And then--"Look!" He pointed with the iron bar; and asI stared hard at the faint light shining up from below the edge of thestone, I could see just the tips of some one's fingers come through andsweep the sawdust away to right and left. Then they came through alittle more, and were drawn back, while directly after came the lowwhispering again, and the hand now was thrust right through as far asthe wrist. 

"Yes, " said Sir John then, as he grasped my arm--"the police!" Justthen he uttered a gasp, and I turned to look at him; but we were in thedark, and I could not see his face, but he gripped my arm more tightly, and I looked once more toward the broad ray, to see the hand resting nowfull in the light, and I turned cold with horror, for there wassomething shining quite brightly, and I could see that it was a signetring, and what was more, the old ring Mr Barclay used to wear--the onehe had worn since he was quite a stripling, and beyond which the jointhad grown so big that he could never get the jewel off. 

I should have bent down there, staring at that ring for long enough, fascinated, as you may say, only all at once I felt my arm dragged, andI was pushed softly into the outer cellar, and from there into thepassage beyond, Sir John closing and locking the door softly, beforetottering into the pantry and sinking into a chair, uttering a low moan. 

"Oh, don't take on, sir, " I whispered; but he turned upon me roughly. 

"Silence, man!" he panted, "and give me time to think;" and then I heardhim breathe softly, in a voice so full of agony that it was terrible tohear: "Oh, my son!--my son!"

"No, no, sir, " I said--for I couldn't bear it. "He wouldn't; there'ssome mistake. "

"Mistake? Then you saw it too, Burdon? No; there is no mistake. "

I couldn't speak, for I remembered about the keys, and something seemedto come up in my throat and choke me, for it seemed so terrible for myyoung master to have done this thing. 

"What are you going to do, sir?" I said at last, and it was me now whogripped his arm. 

"Do?" he said bitterly. "All that is a heritage: mine to hold in trustfor my son--his after my death to hold in trust for the generations tocome. Burdon, it is an incubus--a curse; but I have my duty to do: thatold gold shall not be wasted on a--"

STORY TWO, CHAPTER NINE. 

MR BARCLAY GOES TOO FAR. 

When young Mr Barclay--

Stop! How do I know all this?

Why, it was burned into my memory, and I heard every word from him. 

When young Mr Barclay left the dining-room on the night he disappeared, he went up to his own room, miserable at his position with his father, and taking to himself the blame for the unhappiness that he had broughtupon the girl who loved him with all her sweet true heart. "But it'sfate--it's fate, " he said, as he went up to his room; and then, unableto settle himself there, he lit a cigar, came down, and went out just ashe was dressed in his evening clothes, only that he had put on a lightovercoat, and began to walk up and down in front of our house and watchthe windows opposite, to try and catch a glimpse of Miss Adela. 

Ten o'clock, eleven, struck, but she did not show herself at the window;and feeling quite sick at heart, he was thinking of going in again, whenhe suddenly heard a faint cough, about twenty yards away; and turningsharply, he saw the lady he was looking for crossing the road, havingevidently just come back from some visit. 

"Adela--at last, " he whispered as he caught her hand. 

"Mr Drinkwater!" she cried in a startled way. "How you frightened me!"

"Love makes men fools, " said Mr Barclay, as he slipped into her homeere she could close the door. "Now take me in and introduce me to yoursisters. "

"Adela, is that you? Here, for goodness' sake. Why don't you answer?"

"Is she there?"

The first was a rough man's voice, the next that of a woman, and as theywere heard in the passage, another voice cried hoarsely: "It's of nouse: the game's up. "

"Hist! Hide! Behind that curtain! Anywhere!" panted Adela, startingup in alarm. "Too late!"

Barclay had sprung to his feet, and stood staring in amazement, andperfectly heedless of the girl's appeal to him to hide, as two roughbricklayer-like men came in, followed by a woman. 

"Will you let me pass?" cried Mr Barclay. --"Miss Mimpriss, I beg yourpardon for this intrusion. Forgive me, and good-night. "

One man gave the other a quick look, and as Mr Barclay tried to pass, they closed with him, and, in spite of his struggles, bore him back fromthe door. The next moment, though, he recovered his lost ground, andwould have shaken himself free, but the sour-looking woman who hadentered with the two men watched her opportunity, got behind, flung herarms about the young man's neck, and he was dragged heavily to thefloor, where, as he lay half stunned, he saw Adela gazing at him withher brows knit, and then, without a word of protest, she hurried fromthe room. 

Mr Barclay heaved himself up, and tried to rise; but one of hisadversaries sat upon his chest while the other bound him hand and foot, an attempt at shouting for help being met by a pocket-handkerchiefthrust into his mouth. 

A minute later, as Mr Barclay lay staring wildly, the rough woman, whomhe recalled now as one of the servants, and who had hurried from theroom, returned, helping Adela to support a pallid-looking man, whosehands, face, and rough working clothes were daubed with clayey soil. 

"Confound you! why didn't you bring down the brandy?" he saidharshly. --"Gently, girls, gently. That's better. I'm half crushed. --Who's that?"

"Visitor, " said one of Mr Barclay's captors sourly. "What's to bedone?"

Mr Barclay looked wildly from one to the other, asking himself whetherall this was some dream. Who were these men? Where the elderly MissesMimpriss? And what was the meaning of Adela Mimpriss being on suchterms with the injured man, who looked as if he had been working in somemine?

Their eyes met once, but she turned hers away directly, and held a glassof brandy to the injured man's lips. 

"That's better, " he said. "I can talk now. I thought I was going to besmothered once. --Well, lads, the game's up. "

"Why?" said one of the others sharply. 

"Because it is. You won't catch me there again if I know it; and here'sprivate inquiry at work from over the way. "

"Hold your tongue!" said the first man of the party. "There; he can'thelp himself now. You watch him, Bell; and if he moves, give warning. "

The rough woman seated herself beside Mr Barclay and watched himfiercely. The two men crossed over to their companion; while Adela, still looking cold and angry, with brow wrinkled up, drew back to standagainst the table and listen. 

The men spoke in a low tone; but Mr Barclay caught a word now and then, from which he gathered that, while the man who had in some way been hurtwas for giving up, the other two angrily declared that a short timewould finish it now, and that they would go on with it at all hazards. 

"And what will you do with him?" said the injured man grimly. 

Mr Barclay could not help looking sharply at Adela, who just then methis eye, but it was with a look more of curiosity than anything else;and as she realised that he was gazing at her reproachfully, she turnedaway and watched the three men. 

"Very well, " said the one who was hurt, "I wash my hands of what mayfollow. "

"All right. "

Mr Barclay turned cold as he wondered what was to happen next. He sawplainly enough now that the house had been let to a gang of men engagedupon some nefarious practice, but what it was he could not guess. Coining seemed to be the most likely thing; but from what he had heardand read, these men did not look like coiners. 

Then a curious feeling of rage filled him, and the blood rushed to hisbrain as he lay reproaching himself for his folly. He had beenattracted by this woman, who was evidently thoroughly in league with theman who spoke to her in a way which sent a jealous shudder through him, while the sisters of whom he had once or twice caught a glimpse, seemedto be absent, unless--The thought which occurred to him seemed to be sowild that he drove it away, and lay waiting for what was to come next. 

"Be off, girls!" said the first man suddenly; and without a word, thetwo women present left the room, Adela not so much as casting a glancein the direction of the prisoner. 

The three men whispered together for a few moments, and then Mr Barclaymade an effort to get up, but it was useless, for the first two seizedhim between them, all bound as he was, and dragged him out of the room, along the passage, and down the stone steps to the basement, where theythrust him into the wine-cellar, and half-dragged him across there intothe inner cellar, the houses on that side being exactly the same inconstruction as ours. 

"Fetch a light, " said one of them; and this was done, when the speakerbent down and dragged the handkerchief from the prisoner's mouth. 

"You scoundrel!" cried Mr Barclay. 

"Keep a civil tongue in your head, my fine fellow, " he said. 

"You shall suffer for this, " retorted Mr Barclay. 

"P'r'aps so. But now, listen. If you like to shout, you can do so, only I tell you the truth: no one can hear you when you're shut in here;and if you do keep on making a noise, one of us may be tempted to comeand silence you. "

"What do you want?--Money?"

"You to hold your tongue and be quiet. You behave yourself, and no harmshall come to you; but I warn you that if you attempt any games, lookout, for you've desperate men to deal with. Now, then, will you take itcoolly?"

"Tell me first what this means, " said Mr Barclay. 

"I shall tell you nothing. I only say this--will you take it coolly, and do what we want?"

"I can't help myself, " says Mr Barclay. 

"That's spoken like a sensible lad, " says the second man. --"Now, lookhere: you've got to stop for some days, perhaps, and you shall haveenough to eat, and blankets to keep you warm. "

"But stop here--in this empty cellar?"

"That's it, till we let you go. If you behave yourself, you shan't behurt. If you don't behave yourself, you may get an ugly crack on thehead to silence you. Now, then, will you be quiet?"

"I tell you again, that I cannot help myself. "

"Shall I undo his hands?" said one to the other. 

"Yes; you can loosen them. "

This was done, and directly after Mr Barclay sat thinking in thedarkness, alone with as unpleasant thoughts as a man could have forcompany. 

STORY TWO, CHAPTER TEN. 

A PECULIAR POSITION. 

The prisoner had been sitting upon the sawdust about an hour, when thedoor opened again, and the two men entered, one bearing a bundle ofblankets and a couple of pillows, the other a tray with a large cup ofhot coffee and a plate of bread and butter. 

"There, you see we shan't starve you, " said the first man; "and you canmake yourself a bed with these when you've done. "

"Will you leave me a light?"

"No, " says the man with a laugh. "Wild sort of lads like you are notfit to trust with lights. Good-night. "

The door of the inner cellar was closed and bolted, for it was not likeours, a simple arch; and then the outer cellar door was shut as well;and Mr Barclay sat for hours reproaching himself for his infatuation, before, wearied out, he lay down and fell asleep. How the time hadgone, he could not tell, but he woke up suddenly, to find that there wasa light in the cellar, and the two men were looking down at him. 

"That's right--wake up, " says the principal speaker, "and put on those. "

"But, " began Mr Barclay, as the man pointed to some rough clothes. 

"Put on those togs, confound you!" cried the fellow fiercely, "or--"

He tapped the butt of a pistol; and there was that in the man's mannerwhich showed that he was ready to use it. 

There was nothing for it but to obey; and in a few minutes the prisonerstood up unbound and in regular workman's dress. 

"That's right, " said his jailer. "Now, come along; and I warn you oncefor all, that if you break faith and attempt to call out, you die, assure as your name's Barclay Drinkwater!"

Mr Barclay felt as if he was stunned; and, half-led, half pushed, hewas taken into what had once been the pantry, but was now acurious-looking place, with a bricked round well in the middle, while onone side was fixed a large pair of blacksmith's forge bellows, connectedwith a zinc pipe which went right down into the well. 

"What does all this mean?" he said. "What are you going to do?"

"Wait, and you'll see, " was all the reply he could get; and he staredround in amazement at the heaps of new clay that had been dug out, thepiles of old bricks which had evidently been obtained by pulling downpartition walls somewhere in the house, the lower part of which seemed, as it were, being transformed by workmen. Lastly, there were oil-lampsand a pile of cement, the material for which was obtained from a barrelmarked "Flour. "

The man called Ned was better, and joined them there, the three beingevidently prepared for work, in which Mr Barclay soon found that he wasto participate, and at this point he made a stand. 

"Look here, " he said; "I demand an explanation. What does all thismean?"

"Are you ready for work?" cried the leader of the little gang, seizinghim by the collar menacingly. 

"You people have obtained possession of this house under falsepretences, and you have made the place an utter wreck. I insist onknowing what it means. "

"You do--do you?" said the man, thrusting him back, and holding him withhis shoulders against a pile of bricks. "Then, once for all, I tell youthis: you've got to work here along with us in silence, and hard too, orelse be shut up in that cellar in darkness, and half-starved till we setyou free. "

"The police shall--"

"Oh yes--all right. Tell the police. How are you going to do it?"

"Easily enough. I'll call for help, and--"

"Do, " said the man, taking a small revolver from his breast. "Now, lookhere, Mr Drinkwater; men like us don't enter upon such an enterprise asthis without being prepared for consequences. They would be veryserious for us if they were found out. Nobody saw you come in where youwere not asked, and when you came to insult my friend's wife. "

"Wife?" exclaimed Mr Barclay, for the word almost took his breath away. 

"Yes, sir, wife; and it might happen that the gallant husband had anaccident with you. We can dig holes, you see. Perhaps we might putsomebody in one and cover him up. --Now, you understand. Behave yourselfand you shall come to no harm; but play any tricks, and--Look here, mylads; show our new labourer what you have in your pockets. "

"Not now, " they said, tapping their breasts. "He's going to work. "

Mr Barclay, as he used to say afterwards, felt as if he was in a dream, and without another word went down the ladder into the well, which wasabout ten feet deep, and found himself facing the opening of a regularegg-shaped drain, carefully bricked round, and seemingly securely thoughroughly made. 

"Way to Tom Tiddler's ground, " said the man who had followed him. "Now, then, take that light and this spade. I'll follow with a basket; andyou've got to clear out the bricks and earth that broke looseyesterday. "

Mr Barclay looked in at the drain-like passage, which was just highenough for a man to crawl along easily, and saw that at one side a zincpipe was carried, being evidently formed in lengths of about four feet, joined one to the other, but for what purpose, in his confused state, hecould not make out. 

What followed seemed like a part of a dream, in which, after crawling along way, at first downwards, and then, with the passage slopingupwards, he found his farther progress stopped by a quantity of loosestones and crumbled down earth, upon which, by the direction of the manwho followed close behind, he set down a strong-smelling oil lamp, filled the basket pushed to him, and realised for the first time in hislife what must be the life of a miner toiling in the bowels of theearth. 

At first it was intensely hot, and the lamp burned dimly; but soon afterhe could hear a low hissing noise, and a pleasant cool stream of airbegan to fill the place; the heat grew less, the light burned morebrightly, and he understood what was the meaning of the bellows and thelong zinc tube. 

For a full hour he laboured on, wondering at times, but for the mostpart feeling completely stunned by the novelty of his position. Hefilled baskets with the clay and bricks, and by degrees cleared away theheap before him, after which he had to give place to the man who hadbeen injured, but who now crept by both the occupants of the passage, afeat only to be accomplished after they had both lain down upon theirfaces. 

Then the prisoner's task was changed to that of passing bricks and pailsof cement, sometimes being forced to hold the light while the man deftlyfitted in bricks, and made up what had been a fall, and beyond which thepassage seemed to continue ten or a dozen feet. 

At intervals the gang broke off work to crawl backwards out of thepassage to partake of meals which were spread for them in the library. These meals were good, and washed down with plenty of spirits and water, the two servant-like women and the so-called Adela waiting on the party, everything being a matter of wonder to the prisoner, who stared wildlyat the well-dressed, lady-like, girlish creature who busied herself insupplying the wants of the gang of four bricklayer-like men. 

At the first meal, Mr Barclay refused food. He said that he could noteat; but he drank heartily from the glass placed at his side-water whichseemed to him to be flavoured with peculiar coarse brandy. But he wastroubled with a devouring thirst, consequent upon his exertions, andthat of which he had partaken seemed to increase the peculiar dreamynature of the scene. Whether it was laudanum or some other drug, wecould none of us ever say for certain; but Mr Barclay was convincedthat, nearly all the time, he was kept under the influence of somenarcotic, and that, in a confused dreamy way, he toiled on in thatnarrow culvert. 

He could keep no account of time, for he never once saw the light ofday, and though there were intervals for food and rest, they seemed tobe at various times; and from the rarity with which he heard the faintrattle of some passing vehicle, he often thought that the greater partof the work must be done by night. 

At first he felt a keen sense of trouble connected with what he lookedupon as his disgrace and the way he had lowered himself; but at last heworked on like some machine, obedient as a slave, but hour by hourgrowing more stupefied, even to the extent of stopping short at timesand kneeling before his half-filled basket motionless, till a rudethrust or a blow from a brickbat pitched at him roused him to continuehis task. 

The drug worked well for his taskmasters, and the making of the mineprogressed rapidly, for every one connected therewith seemed in a stateof feverish anxiety now to get it done. 

And so day succeeded day, and night gave place to night. The twoservant-like women went busily on with their work, and fetchedprovisions for the household consumption, no tradespeople save milkmanand baker being allowed to call, and they remarked that they never oncefound the area gate unlocked. And while these two women, prim andself-contained, went on with the cooking and housework and kept thedoorstep clean, the so-called Miss Adela Mimpriss went on with thewoolwork flowers at the dining-room window, where she could get mostlight, and the world outside had no suspicion of anything being wrong inthe staid, old-fashioned house opposite Sir John Drinkwater's. Even theneighbours on either side heard no sound. 

"What does it all mean?" Mr Barclay used to ask himself, and at othertimes, "When shall I wake?" for he often persuaded himself that this wasthe troubled dream of a bad attack of fever, from which he would awakensome day quite in his right mind. Meanwhile, growing every hour moremachine-like, he worked on and on always as if in a dream. 

STORY TWO, CHAPTER ELEVEN. 

CONCLUSION. 

I stood watching Sir John, who seemed nearly mad with grief and rage, and a dozen times over my lips opened to speak, but without a soundbeing heard. At last he looked up at me and saw what I wanted to do, but which respect kept back. 

"Well, " he said, "what do you propose doing?"

I remained silent for a moment, and then, feeling that even if he wasoffended, I was doing right, I said to him what was in my heart. 

"Sir John, I never married, and I never had a son. It's all a mysteryto me. "

"Man, you are saved from a curse!" he cried fiercely. 

"No, dear master, no, " I said, as I laid my hand upon his arm. "Youdon't believe that. I only wanted to say that if I had had a boy--afine, handsome, brave lad like Mr Barclay--"

"Fine!--brave!" he says contemptuously. 

"Who had never done a thing wrong, or been disobedient in any way tillhe fell into temptation that was too strong for him--"

"Bah! I could have forgiven that. But for him to have turned thief!"

I was silent, for his words seemed to take away my breath. 

"Man, man!" he cried, "how could you be such an idiot as to write thatdocument and leave it where it could be found?"

"I did it for the best, sir, " I said humbly. 

"Best? The worst, " he cried. "No, no; I cannot forgive. Disgrace orno disgrace, I must have in the police. "

"No, no, no!" I cried piteously. "He is your own son, Sir John, yourown son; and it is that wretched woman who has driven him mad. "

"Mad? Burdon, mad? No; it is something worse. "

"But it is not too late, " I said humbly. 

"Yes, too late--too late! I disown him. He is no longer son of mine. "

"And you sit there in that dining-room every night, Sir John, " I said, "with all us servants gathered round, and read that half a chapter andthen say, `As we forgive them that trespass against us. ' Sir John--master--he is your own son, and I love him as if he was my own. "

There wasn't a sound in that place for a minute, and then he drew hisbreath in a catching way that startled me, for it was as if he was goingto have a fit. But his face was very calm and stern now, as he says tome gently:

"You are right, old friend;"--and my heart gave quite a bound--"oldfriend. "

"Let's go to him and save him, master, from his sin. "

"Two weak old men, Burdon, and him strong, desperate, and taken bysurprise. My good fellow, what would follow then?"

"I don't know, Sir John. I can only see one thing, and that is, that weshould have done our duty by the lad. Let's leave the rest to Him. "

He drew a long deep breath. 

"Yes, " he says. "Come along. "

We went back in the darkness to the cellar door and listened; but allseemed very still, and I turned the key in the patent Bramah lockwithout a sound. We went in, and stood there on the sawdust, with thathot smell of burnt oil seeming to get stronger, and there was a faintlight in the inner cellar now, and a curious rustling, panting sound. We crept forward, one on each side of the opening; and as we looked in, my hand went down on one of the sherry bottles in the bin by my arm, andit made a faint click, which sounded quite loud. 

I forgot all about Sir John; I didn't even know that he was there, as Istared in from the darkness at the scene before me. They--I say they, for the whispering had taught me that there was more than one--had gotthe stone up while we had been away. It had been pushed aside on to thesawdust, and a soft yellow light shone up now out of the hole, showingme my young master, looking so strange and staring-eyed and ghastly, that I could hardly believe it was he. But it was, sure enough, thoughdressed in rough workman's clothes, and stained and daubed with clay. 

It wasn't that, though, which took my attention, but his face; and as Ilooked, I thought of what had been said a little while ago in my place, and I felt it was true, and that he was mad. He had just crept up outof the hole, when he uttered a low groan and sank down on his knees, andthen fell sidewise across the hole in the floor. He was not there manymoments before there was a low angry whispering; he seemed to be heavedup, and, a big workman-looking fellow came struggling up till he sat onthe sawdust with his legs in the hole, and spoke down to some one. 

"It's all right, " he said. "The chests are here; but the fool hasfainted away. Quick the lamp, and then the tools. "

He bent down and took a smoky oil lamp that was handed to him, and Idrew a deep breath, for the sound of his voice had seemed familiar; butthe light which shone on his face made me sure in spite of his roughclothes and the beard he had grown. It was Edward Gunning, our oldservant, who was discharged for being too fond of drink, turnedbricklayer once again. 

As he took the lamp, he got up, held it above his head, looked round, and then, with a grin of satisfaction at the sight of the chests, stepped softly toward the opening into the outer cellar, where Sir Johnand I were watching. 

It didn't take many moments, and I hardly know now how it happened, butI just saw young Mr Barclay lying helpless on the sawdust, another headappearing at the hole, and then, with the light full upon it, EdwardGunning's face being thrust out of the opening into the cellar where wewere, and his eyes gleaming curiously before they seemed to shut with asnap. For, all at once--perhaps it was me being a butler and so used towine--my hand closed upon the neck of one of those bottles, which roseup sudden-like above my head, and came down with a crash upon that ofthis wretched man. 

There was a crash; the splash of wine; the splintering of glass; thesmell of sherry--fine old sherry, yellow seal--and I stood for a momentwith the bottle neck and some sawdust in my hand, startled by the yellthe man gave, by the heavy fall, and the sudden darkness which had comeupon us. 

Then--I suppose it was all like a flash--I had rushed to the innercellar and was dragging the slab over the hole, listening the while to ahollow rustling noise which ended as I got the slab across and sat on itto keep it down. 

"Where are you, Burdon?" says Sir John. 

"Here, sir!--Quick! A light!"

I heard him hurry off; and it seemed an hour before he came back, whileI sat listening to a terrible moaning, and smelling the spilt sherry andthe oily knocked-out lamp. Then Sir John came in, quite pale, butlooking full of fight, and the first thing he did was to stoop down overEdward Gunning and take a pistol from his breast. "You take that, Burdon, " he said, "and use it if we are attacked. "

"Which we shan't be, Sir John, if you help me to get this stone back inits place. "

He set the lamp on one of the chests and lent a hand, when the stonedropped tightly into its place; and we dragged a couple of chestsacross, side by side, before turning to young Mr Barclay, who lay thereon his side as if asleep. 

"Now, " says Sir John, as he laid his hand upon the young man's collarand dragged him over on to his back, "I think we had better hand thisfellow over to the police. "

"The doctor, you mean, sir. Look at him. "

I needn't have bade him look, for Sir John was already doing that. 

It was a doctor that I fetched, and not the police, for Mr Barclay laythere quite insensible, and smelling as if he had taken to eating opium, while Ned Gunning had so awful a cut across his temple that he wouldsoon have bled to death. 

The doctor came and dressed the rascal's wounds as he was laid in mypantry; but he shook his head over Mr Barclay, and with reason; for twomonths had passed away before we got him down to Dorking, and saw hispale face beginning to get something like what it was, with MissVirginia, forgiving and gentle, always by his side. 

But I'm taking a very big jump, and saying nothing about our goingacross to the house opposite as soon as it was daylight, to find thedoor open and no one there; while the state of that basement and what wesaw there, and the artfulness of the people, and the labour they hadgiven in driving that passage right under the road as true as a die, filled me with horror, and cost Sir John five hundred pounds. 

Why, their measurements and calculations were as true as true; and if ithadn't been for me missing that paper--which, of course, it was EdwardGunning who stole it--those scoundrels would have carried off thatgolden incubus as sure as we were alive. But they didn't get it; andthey had gone off scot-free, all but our late footman, who hadconcussion of the brain in the hospital where he was took, Sir Johnsaying that he would let the poor wretch get well before he handed himover to the police. 

But, bless you, he never meant to. He was too pleased to get MrBarclay back, and to find that he hadn't the least idea about the goldenincubus being in the cellar; while as to the poor lad's sorrow about hismadness and that wretched woman, who was Ned Gunning's wife, it waspitiful to see. 

The other scoundrels had got away; and all at once we found that Gunninghad discharged himself from the hospital; and by that time the houseover the way was put straight, the builder telling me in confidence thathe thought Sir John must have been mad to attempt to make such a passageas that to connect his property without consulting a regular businessman. That was the morning when he got his cheque for the repairs, andthe passage--which he called "Drinkwater's Folly"--had disappeared. 

Time went on, and the golden incubus went on too--that is, to a big bankin the Strand, for we were at Dorking now, where those young peoplespent a deal of time in the open air; and Mr Barclay used to say hecould never forgive himself; but his father did, and so did some oneelse. 

Who did?

Why, you don't want telling that. Heaven bless her sweet face! Andbless him, too, for a fine young fellow as strong--ay, and as weak, too, of course--as any man. 

Dear, dear, dear! I'm pretty handy to eighty now, and Sir John just oneyear ahead; and I often say to myself, as I think of what men will dofor the sake of a pretty face--likewise for the sake of gold: "This is avery curious world. "

STORY THREE, CHAPTER ONE. 

IN A GOWT. 

Looks ominous, don't it, to see nearly every gate-post and dyke-bridgemade of old ships' timber? Easy enough to tell that, from its bend, andthe tree-nail holes. Ours is a bad coast, you see; not rocky, but withlong sloping sands; and when the sea's high, and there's a gale onshore, a vessel strikes, and there she lies, with the waves lifting herbodily, and then letting her fall again upon the sands, shaking her allto pieces: first the masts go, then a seam opens somewhere in her sides, and as every wave lifts her and lets her down, she shivers and loosens, till she as good as falls all to pieces, and the shore gets strewn withold wreck. 

Good wrecks used to be little fortunes to the folk along shore, butthat's all altered now; the coastguard look-out too sharp. Things arewonderfully changed to what they were when I was a boy. Fine bit ofsmuggling going on in those days; hardly a farmer along the coast buthad a finger in it, and ran cargoes right up to the little towns inland. The coast was not so well watched, and people were bribed easier, Isuppose; but, at all events, that sort of thing has almost died out now. 

Never had a brush with the coastguard or the cutter in my time, for wewere all on the cut-and-run system: but I had a narrow escape for mylife once, when a boat's crew came down upon us, and I'll tell you howit was. 

We were a strong party of us down on the shore off our point here atMerthorpe, busy as could be; night calm, and still, and dark, and one ofthose fast-sailing French boats--_chasse-marees_, they call them--landing a cargo. Carts, and packhorses, and boats were all at it; andthe kegs of brandy, and barrels of tobacco, and parcels of lace werecoming ashore in fine style; I and another in a little boat kept makingtrips backwards and forwards between the shore and the _chasse-maree_, landing brandy-tubs--nice little brandy-kegs, you know, with aVC--_Vieux Cognac_--branded on each. 

I don't know how many journeys I had made, when all at once there was analarm given, and as it were right out of the darkness, I could see aman-of-war's boat coming right down upon us, while, before I quite gotover the first fright, there was another in sight. 

Such a scrimmage--such a scamper; boats scattering in all directions;the French boat getting up a sail or two, and all confusion; whipscracking, wheels ploughing through the soft sand, and horses gallopingoff to get to the other side of the sandbank. We were close aside thelong, low _chasse-maree_, in our bit of a skiff thing, when the alarmwas given, and pushed off hard for the shore, which was about twohundred yards distant, while on all sides there were other boats settingus the example, or following in our wake; in front of us there was aheavy cart backed as far out into the sea as she would stand, with thehorses turned restive and jibbing, for there was a heavy load behindthem, and the more the driver lashed them, the more the brutes backedout in the shallow water, while every moment the wheels kept sinkingfarther into the sand. 

I saw all this as the revenue cutter's boats separated, one making forthe _chasse-maree_, and the other dashing after the flying long-shoresquadron; and as I dragged at my oar, I had the pleasure of seeing thatwe must either be soon overhauled, or else leap out into the shallowwater, and run for it, and I said so to my companion. 

"Oh, hang it, no, " he cried; "pull on. They'll stave in the boat, andwe shall lose all the brandy. "

I did pull on, for I was so far from being loyal, that I was ready torun any risk sooner than lose the little cargo we had of a dozenbrandy-kegs, and about the same number of packages; but there seemed notthe slightest prospect of our getting off, unless we happened to beunobserved in the darkness. However, I pulled on, and keeping off tothe right, we had the satisfaction of seeing the revenue boat rowstraight on, as if not noticing us. 

"Keep off a little now, " I whispered, "or we shall be ashore. "

"No, no--it's all right, " was the reply; "we are just over the swatch;"which is the local term given to the long channels washed out in thesand by the tide, here and there forming deep trenches along the coast, very dangerous for bathers. 

"They see us, " I whispered; when my companion backed water, and theconsequence was, that the boat's head turned right in-shore, and wefloated between the piles, and were next moment, with shipped oars, outof sight in the outlet of the gowt. 

Now, I am not prepared to give the derivation of the word "gowt, " but Ican describe what it is--namely, the termination, at the sea-coast, ofthe long Lincolnshire land-drains, in the shape of a lock with gates, which are opened at certain times, to allow the drainage to flow underthe sand into the sea, but carefully closed when the tide is up, toprevent flooding of the marsh-lands, protected by the high sea-bank, which runs along the coast and acts the part of cliffs. From theselock-gates, a square woodwork tunnel is formed by means of piles driveninto the shore, and crossed with stout planks; and this coveredwater-way in some cases runs for perhaps two hundred yards right beneaththe sandbank, then beneath the sand, and has its outlet some distancedown the shore; while, to prevent the air blowing the tunnel up when thesea comes in, a couple of square wooden pipes descend at intervals ofsome fifty yards through the sand into the water-way; at high water, when the mouth is covered, and the lock-gates closed, the air comesbellowing and roaring up these pipes as every wave comes in; and attimes, when the tunnel is pretty full, the water will, after chasing theair, rush out after it, and form a spray fountain; while, as the wavesrecede, the wind rushes back with a strange whistling sound, and adraught that draws anything down into the tunnel with a fierce rush. But there was another peculiarity of the hollow way that was strangelyimpressed upon my memory that night--namely, its power of acting as avast speaking-tube, for if a person stood at one of the escape-pipes andwhispered, his words were distinctly audible to another at the otherpipe some fifty yards off, who could as easily respond. 

Well, it was into the mouth of the gowt tunnel that we had now run theboat, where we were concealed from view certainly; and thrusting againstthe piles with his hands, my companion worked the boat farther into thedarkness, until the keel touched the soft sand. 

"That's snug, " he whispered: "they'll never find us here. "

"No, " I said, as a strange fear came upon me. "But isn't the tiderising?"

"Fast, " he said. 

"Then we shall be stopped from getting out. "

"Nonsense!" he said. "It will take an hour to rise above thetunnel-mouth, and if it did, we could run her head up higher and higher. Plenty of fresh air through the pipes. "

"If we're not drowned, " I said. 

"There, if you want to lose the cargo, we'll pull out at once, and giveup, " he said. 

"But I don't, " I replied; "I am staunch enough; only I don't want torisk my life. "

"Well, who does?" he said. "Only keep still, and we shall be allright. "

The few minutes we had been conversing had been long enough for the tideto float the boat once more, and this time I raised my hand to the rootand thrusting against the tunnel-covered, weed-hung, slimy woodwork, soon had the boat's keel again in the sand, so as to prevent her beingsucked out by the reflux of the tide. At times we could hear shouts, twice pistol-shots, and then we were startled by the dull, heavy reportof a small cannon. 

"That's after the _chasse-maree_, " whispered my companion; "but shesails like a witch. She's safe unless they knock a spar away. "

"I wish we were, " I said, for I did not feel at all comfortable in ourdark hole, up which we were being forced farther and farther by theincreasing tide; while more than once we had to hold on tightly by thehorrible slimy piles, to keep from being drawn back. 

"Just the place to find dead bodies, " whispered my companion, evidentlyto startle me. 

"Just so, " I said coldly. "Perhaps they'll find two to-morrow. "

"Don't croak, " was the polite rejoinder; and then he was silent; but Icould hear a peculiar boring noise being made, and no further attemptsat a joke issued from my friend's lips. 

"Suppose we try and get out now?" I whispered, after another quarter ofan hour's listening in the darkness, and hearing nothing but the softrippling, and the "drip, drip" of water beyond us; while towards themouth came the "lap, lap" of the waves against the sides of the tunnel, succeeded by a rushing noise, and the rattling of the loose musselsclustering to the woodwork, now loudly, now gently; while every lightrustle of the seaweed seemed to send a shiver through me. 

The noise as of boring had ceased some time, and my friend now drew myattention to one of the kegs, which he had made a hole through with hisknife; and never before did spirits come so welcome as at that moment. 

"Better try and get out now, " whispered my companion. 

"They must be somewhere handy, though one can't see even their boat, "said a strange voice, which seemed hollow and echoing along the tunnel, while the rattling of the shells and lapping of the water grew louder. 

All at once I raised my head, as if to feel for the hole down which thesound of the voice came, when, to my alarm, I struck it heavily againstthe top of the tunnel, making it bleed against the shelly surface. 

"Wait a bit, " said my companion thickly; "they're on the look-out yet;it's madness to go out. " And I then heard a noise which told me that hewas trying to drown consciousness in the liquor to which he had made hisway. 

However, it seemed to me madness to stay where we were, to be drownedlike rats in a hole; and taking advantage of the next receding wave, Igave the boat a start, and she went down towards the mouth of the tunnelfor a little way, when a coming current would have driven her back, onlyI clung to the root now very low down, and rather close to which theboat now floated. Another thrust, and I pushed her some distance down, but with the next wave that came in, my hand was jammed against theslimy roof, and, unnerved with horror, I gasped: "Rouse up, Harry! themouth's under water!"

Hollowly sounded my voice as the wave sank, and I felt once more free, and in sheer despair forced the boat lower down the tunnel; but thistime, when the tide came in again, I had to lie right back, the boatrose so high, and I felt the dripping seaweed hanging from the roof weepcoldly and slimily over my face; when, before the next wave could raiseus, I thrust eagerly at the side, forcing the boat inward again, but inthe fear and darkness, got her across the tunnel, so that head and sternwere wedged, and as the next rush of water came, it smote the boatheavily, and made her a fixture, so that in spite of my efforts, itcould not move her either way. 

Wash came the water again and again, and at every dash a portion cameinto the boat, drenching me to the skin; while I now became aware thatHarry Hodson was lying stupefied across the kegs, and breathing heavily. 

I made one more effort to move the boat, but it was tighter than ever;and after conquering an insane desire to dive out, and try and swim tothe mouth, I let myself cautiously down on the inner side, and stood, with the water breast-high, clinging to the gunwale. The next moment itrose above my mouth, lifting me from my feet, and as it rushed back, sucked my legs beneath the boat; but I gained my feet again, and beganto wade inward. 

Yet strong upon me as was the desire for life, I could not leave mycompanion to his fate in so cowardly a way; so I turned back, and thistime swimming, I reached the boat, now nearly full of water; and halfdragging, half lifting, I got his body over the side, and holding on byhis collar, tried once more for bottom. But it was a horrible timethere in the dense black darkness--a darkness that, in my distemperedbrain, seemed to be peopled with hideous forms, swimming, crawling, andwaiting to devour us, or fold us in their slimy coils. The drippingwater sounded hollow and echoing; strange whispers and cries seemedfloating around; the mussels rustled together: and ever louder andlouder came the "lap, lap, lapping" of the water as it rushed in anddashed against the sides and ceiling of the horrible place. 

I was now clinging with one hand to the boat's side, while with theother I held tightly by Hodson's collar; but though I waited till thewave receded before I tried the bottom, it was not to be touched; so, shuddering and horror-stricken, I waited the coming wave, and struck offswimming with all my might. It was only a minute's task; but when, after twice trying, my feet touched the bottom, I was panting heavily, and so nervous, that I had to lean, trembling and shaking, against theside. But I had a tight hold of Hodson, whose head I managed to keepabove water; and it was not until warned of my danger by the risingtide, and the difficulty I found keeping my feet that I again essayed topress forward. 

Just then, something cold and wet swept across my face, and dashing outmy arms to keep off some monster of the deep, my hands came in contactwith a round body which beat against my breast and in my horror, as Idashed away, I was some paces ere the dragging at my limb told me that Ihad left my comrade to his fate. The next moment however, he was sweptup to me; and once more clutching his collar, and keeping his head abovewater, I waded slowly along the tunnel, when again I nearly lost myhold, for the same wet slimy body swept across my face; but raising myhand, I only dashed away one of the long strands of bladder-weed whichhung thickly from the cross timbers of the roof. 

It was no hard matter to bear my companion along with me, for I had onlyto keep his head up, his body floating along the surface, but myfoothold was uncertain, for now the bottom was slimy, and my feet sunkin the ooze deeper and deeper, for I was nearing the gates through whichthe fresh water of the marshes was let in; and though the water was nowonly to my middle, I made my way with difficulty, for there was aperceptible current against me. 

Breathing would have been easy, had it not been for my excitement; andnow a horrid dread seemed to check the very act, for all at once I hearda heavy reverberating noise, and the thought struck me that they wereopening the gates, and in another instant the fearful rush of freshwater would come bearing all before it--even our lives. 

In the agony of the moment I uttered a wild unearthly shriek--so fearfula cry, that I shrank against the side afterwards, and clung to a slimypost, trembling to hear the strange whispering echoes, as the cryreverberated along the place, and mingled with the lapping rush of thewater, the dripping from the root and a loud sound as of a littlewaterfall in front. 

Now came again the shape of something round swimming up against me, andas it struck my side, I beat at it savagely, though I smiled at myfoolish fear the next moment, for it was one of the brandy-kegs washedout of the boat. But horror still seemed to hold me, as I waded onfarther and farther, till once more the water began to deepen, and theooze at the bottom grew softer; so I stopped, listening to the heavyrushing of water in front, where the drainage escaped, and washedheavily down, deepening the tunnel at the foot of the doors; while inthat hollow, cavernous place, growing smaller moment by moment, therushing sound was something hideous. Danger in front, for the greatgates might at any time be opened; and danger behind, where the tide wascoming in ceaselessly, and deepening the water around me with itsregular beating throb, minute by minute. Thoughts of the past andpresent seemed to surge through my brain, so that I grew bewildered, andhad any chance of escape presented itself I could not have seized it, though I could not but tell myself that escape was impossible. A fewminutes--ten, twenty, thirty perhaps, and the black darkness seemed tobe growing blacker. 

"I must be free, " I muttered; and dragging Hodson's handkerchief fromhis neck, I bound it to my own, and then making them fast beneath hisarms, felt among the woodwork till I could find a place where I couldpass them through, so that I could secure him from slipping down, orbeing swept away by the ebbing and flowing of the water. 

I was not long in finding a place; but then the handkerchiefs were notlong enough, and I had to add one from my pocket; then I left the poorfellow quite insensible and half-hanging from one of the timbers. Andnow I waded about, searching for the mouth of the air-pipe, in the hopeof shouting up it for succour, since I felt convinced that the tidewould effectually fill the tunnel, while the very thought of the gatesbeing opened half-maddened me; and heedless now of who might hear me, sothat they brought succour, I hunted aimlessly about, yelling andshrieking for aid. 

It was a fearful struggle between reason and dread; and for ever dreadkept getting the upper hand: now it was a floating keg again and againmaking me dash away now one of the packages hurried in by the tide;while the strange drippings and hollow whisperings were magnified intoan infinity of horrors. Every monster with which imagination haspeopled the sea seemed to be there to attack me--strange serpent orlizard like beasts, slimy and scaled, thronging along the ceiling or upthe sides, swimming around me, or burrowing through the sand. More thanonce I actually touched some swimming object, but the contact wasmomentary, and the stranger darted off. Then reason would gainsupremacy for a while; and trying to cool my throbbing brow with thewater, I thought of my position, whispered a few prayers, andendeavoured to compose myself. There was even now a doubt: the tidemight not rise high enough to cover me; certainly it was now at mybreast, and I was standing with difficulty in the shallowest place Icould pick. The next moment, as the waves receded, it would fall to mywaist; but again it was up to my chest, and in spite of gleams of hope, despair whispered truly that it was now higher up my chest than before. True; but one wave in so many always came higher than the others. Thetide might still be at its height, and this be that particular wave. 

I moved again and again, but ever with the same result; and at last, despairingly, I was clinging to a shell-covered piece of timber at theside, with the water at my chin. 

A noise, a clanking noise as of chains rattling and iron striking iron;and now hope fled, for I knew that this must be the opening of the doorsof the gowt; but, to my surprise, no rush of water followed; only alittle came, which lapped against my lips, while a rush of air smote myforehead. 

Voices, shouts, and Hodson's name uttered; but I could not shout inreply. Then my own name; and I gave some inarticulate cry by way ofanswer, while once more reason seemed to get the better of the dread, for I knew that the far doors of the gowt had not been opened, and thatthey kept up the drainage, while the pair nearest to me had only had thepressure upon them of the water escaping from the first. And now a goodbold swim, and I could have been in the big pit-like opening between thetwo pairs of gates; but the spirit was gone, the nerve was absent andstill clinging to the shelly piece of timber, I closed my eyes, for Ifelt that near as rescue seemed, I could do nothing to aid it. As forHodson, in this time of dread, I had forgotten him--forgotten all butthe great horror of the water lap, lap, lapping at my lip, andoccasionally receding, its fizzing spray in my nostrils. 

Higher and higher, covering my lip; but by a desperate effort I raisedmyself a few inches, but only to go through the same agonies again, asthe water still crept up and up, slowly but surely, while in this mylast struggle my head touched the top timbers, the weed washed and sweptover it, and as I forced my fingers round the timber to which I clung, my body floated in the water. 

Another minute, and I felt that all was over, for the water covered myface once, twice; and half strangled, I waited gasping for the thirdtime; but it came not. Half a minute passed, and then again it washedover my face, seeming as if it would never leave it; but at last it wasgone, and too unnerved to hope, I awaited its return, but it came not. 

I dared not hope yet, till I felt that the water was perceptibly lower, and then the reaction was so fearful that I could hardly retain my holdtill the tide had sunk so that once more I could stand, when my shoutsfor help brought assistance to me through the gowt, for they lowereddown a little skiff with ropes, and I was brought out as nearly dead asmy poor companion. 

That night's work sprinkled my hair with grey, and was my lastexperience with the smuggling business. The loss was heavy; but I hadescaped with life, while poor Hodson was followed to the grave by somescore the following Sunday. 

STORY FOUR, CHAPTER ONE. 

A FIGHT WITH A STORM. 

I got first to be mate when quite a youngish fellow; the owners weretold somehow or other that I'd worked hard on the last voyage, and theymade me mate of the ship, and gave me a good silver watch and chain; awatch that went to the bottom of the sea five years after in a wreck offthe Irish coast, by Wexford, when I and six more swam ashore, saving ourlives, and thankful for them. For the sea swallows up a wonderful storeof wealth every season; and it meant to have our ship, too, that year Iwas made mate, only we escaped it. 

It happened like this. We were bound for Cadiz in a large, handsome, new brig, having on board a rich cargo; for besides a heavy value ingold, we had a lot of valuable new machinery, that had been made for theSpanish government by one of our large manufacturers somewhere inland. But besides this, there was a vast quantity of iron, in long, heavy, cast pillars. A huge weight they were, and we all shook our heads atthem as they were lowered down into the hold, for we thought of what anice cargo they would turn out, if we should have a heavy passage. Wehad about a score of passengers, too, and amongst them was a finegentlemanly fellow, going out with his wife, and he was to superintendthe fitting up of the machinery, several of the other passengers beinghis men. 

She was a new, well-found vessel, and fresh in her paint; and with herclean canvas, and all smart, we were rather proud of that boat. Butwe'd only just got beyond the Lizard when it came on to blow, just as itcan blow off there in February, with rain, and snow, and hail; and wewere at last glad to scud before the gale under bare poles. 

Night and day, then, night and day following one another fast, with thehatches battened down, and the ship labouring so that it seemed as ifevery minute must be her last. She was far too heavily laden; andinstead of her being a ship to float out the fiercest storms, here wewere loaded down, so that she lay rolling and pitching in a way that herseams began to open, and soon every hand had to take his turn at thepumps. 

The days broke heavy and cloudy, and the nights came on with thedarkness awful, and the gale seeming to get fiercer and fiercer, till atlast, worn out, sailors and passengers gave up, the pumps wereabandoned, and refusing one and all to stay below, men and women wereclustered together, getting the best shelter they could. 

"I don't like to see a good new ship go to the bottom like this, " Ishouted in one of my mates' ears, and he shouted back something aboutiron; and I nodded, for we all knew that those great pillars down belowwere enough to sink the finest vessel that ever floated. 

Just then I saw the skipper go below, while the gentleman who was goingout to superintend was busy lashing one of the life-buoys to his wife. 

"That ain't no good, " I shouted to him, going up on hands and knees, forthe sea at times was enough to wash you overboard, as she dipped androlled as though she would send her masts over the side every moment. But I got to where they were holding on at last; and seeing that, landsman-like, he knew nothing of knotting and lashing, I made thelife-buoy fast, just as a great wave leaped over the bows, and swept theship from stern to stern. 

As soon as I could get my breath, I looked round, to find that where themate and three passengers were standing a minute before, was now anempty space; while on running to the poop, and looking over, there wasnothing to be seen but the fierce rushing waters. 

I got back to where those two were clinging together, and though feelingselfish, as most men would, I couldn't help thinking how sad it would befor a young handsome couple like them to be lost, for I knew well enoughthat though she was lashed to the life-buoy, the most that would dowould be to keep her afloat till she died of cold and exhaustion. 

"Can nothing be done?" Mr Vallance--for that was his name--shouted inmy ear. 

"Well, " I said, shouting again, "if I was captain, I should run allrisks, and get some of that iron over the side. "

"Why don't he do it, then?" he exclaimed; and of course, being nobody onboard that ship, I could only shake my head. 

Just then Mrs Vallance turned upon me such a pitiful look, as she tooktighter hold of her husband--a look that seemed to say to me: "Oh, savehim, save him!" And I don't know how it was, but feeling that somethingought to be done, I crept along once more to the captain's cabin, andgoing down, there, in the dim light, I could see him sitting on alocker, with a bottle in his hand, and a horrible wild stupid look onhis face, which told me in a moment that he wasn't a fit man to havebeen trusted with the lives of forty people in a good new ship. Then Istood half-bewildered for a few moments, but directly after I was up ondeck, and alongside of Mr Vallance. 

"Will you stand by me, sir, " I says, "if I'm took to task for what Ido?"

"What are you going to do?" he says. 

"Shy that iron over the side. "

"To the death, my man!"

"Then lash her fast where she is, " I said, nodding to Mrs Vallance;"and, in God's name, come on. "

I saw the poor thing's arms go tight round his neck, and though Icouldn't hear a word she said, I knew it meant: "Don't leave me;" but hejust pointed upwards a moment, kissed her tenderly; and then, I helping, we made her fast, and the next minute were alongside the hatches, justover where I knew the great pillars to be. 

I knew it was a desperate thing to do, but it was our only chance; andafter swinging round the fore-yard, and rigging up some tackle, the mensaw what was meant, and gave a bit of a cheer. Then they clusteredtogether, passengers and men, while I shouted to Mr Vallance, offeringhim his choice--to go below with another, to make fast the rope to thepillars, or to stay on deck. 

He chose going below; and warning him that we should clap on the hatchesfrom time to time, to keep out the water, I got hold of a marlinespike, loosened the tarpaulin a little, had one hatch off, and then stationedtwo on each side, to try and keep the opening covered every time a wavecame on board. 

It seemed little better than making a way in for the sea to send us tothe bottom at once; but I knew that it was our only hope, andpersevered. Mr Vallance and one of the men went below, the tackle waslowered, and in less time than I expected, they gave the signal to haulup. We hauled--the head of the pillar came above the coamings, wenthigh up, then lowered down till one end rested on the bulwarks; the ropewas cast off; and then, with a cheer, in spite of the rolling of theship, it was sent over the side to disappear in the boiling sea. 

Another, and another, and another, weighing full six hundredweightapiece, we had over the side, the men working now fiercely, and withsomething like hope in their breasts; and then I roared to them to holdfast the tarpaulin was pulled over, and I for one threw myself upon it, just as a wave came rolling along, leaped the bows, and dashed us hereand there. 

But we found to our great joy that hardly a drop had gone below, theweight of the water having flattened down the tarpaulin; so seizing thetackle once more, we soon had another pillar over the side, and another, and another--not easily, for it was a hard fight each time; and morethan once men were nearly crushed to death. It was terrible work, too, casting them loose amidst the hurry and strife of the tempest; but wekept on, till, utterly worn out and panting, we called on Mr Vallanceto come up, when we once more securely battened down the hatch andwaited for the morning. 

We agreed amongst ourselves that the ship did not roll so much; andperhaps she was a little easier, for we had sent some tons overboard;but the difference was very little; and morning found us all numbed withthe cold, and helpless to a degree. I caught Mr Vallance's eye, andsignalled to him that we should go on again; but it required all wecould do to get the men to work, one and all saying that it was useless, and only fighting against our fate. 

Seeing that fair words wouldn't do, I got the tackle ready myself, andthen with the marlinespike in one hand, I went up to the first poorshivering fellow I came to, and half-led, half-dragged him to his place;Mr Vallance followed suit with another; and one way and another we gotthem to work again; and though not so quickly as we did the day before, we sent over the side tons and tons of that solid iron--each pillar onbeing cut loose darting over the bulwark with a crash, and tearing noend of the planking away, but easing the vessel, so that now we couldfeel the difference; and towards night, though the weather was bad asever, I began to feel that we might have a chance; for the ship seemedto ride over the waves more, instead of dipping under them, andshuddering from stem to stern. We'd been fortunate, too, in keeping thewater from getting into the hold; and one way and another, what with thefeeling of duty done, and the excitement, things did not look so blackas before; when all at once a great wave like a green mountain of waterleaped aboard over the poop, flooded the deck, tore up the tarpaulin andanother hatch, and poured down into the hold, followed by another andanother; and as I clung to one of the masts, blinded and shaking withthe water, I could feel that in those two minutes all our two days' workhad been undone. 

"God help us!" I groaned, for I felt that I had done wrong in openingthe hatches; but there was no time for repining. Directly the waves hadpassed on, rushing out at the sides, where they had torn away thebulwarks, I ran to the mouth of the hold, for I felt that Mr Vallanceand the poor fellow with him must have been drowned. 

I shouted--once, twice, and then there was a groan; when, seizing holdof the tackle that we had used to hoist the pillars, I was lowered down, and began to swim in the rushing water that was surging from side toside, when I felt myself clutched by a drowning man, and holding on tohim, we were dragged up together. 

But I did not want the despairing look Mrs Vallance gave me to make mego down again, and this time I was washed up against something, which Iseized; but there seemed no life in it when we were hauled up, for thepoor fellow did not move, and it was pitiful to see the way in which hispoor wife clung to him. 

Another sea coming on board, it was all we could do to keep from beingswept off; and as the water seemed to leap and plunge down the hatchwith a hollow roar, a chill came over me again, colder than that broughton by the bitter weather. I was so worn out that I could hardly stir;but it seemed that if I did not move, no one else would; so shouting toone or two to help me, I crawled forward, and got the hatches on again, just as another wave washed over us; but before the next came, with mymarlinespike I had contrived to nail down the tarpaulin once more, inthe hope that, though waterlogged, we might float a little longer. 

It seemed strange, but after a little provision had been served round, Ibegan to be hopeful once more, telling myself that, after all, water wasnot worse than iron, and that if we lived to the next day, we might getclear of our new enemy without taking off the hatches. 

We had hard work, though, with Mr Vallance, who lay for hours withoutseeming to show a sign of life; but towards morning, from the lowsobbing murmur I heard close by me, and the gentle tones of a man'svoice, I knew that they must have brought him round. You see, I was atthe wheel then, for it had come round to my turn, and as soon as I couldget relieved, I went and spoke to them, and found him able to sit up. 

As day began to break, the wind seemed to lull a little, and soon aftera little more, and again a little more, till, with joyful heart, I toldall about me that the worst was over; and it was so, for the windshifted round to the south and west, and the sea went down fast. Soon, too, the sun came out; and getting a little sail on the ship, I began tosteer, as near as I could tell, homewards, hoping before long to be ableto make out our bearings, which I did soon after, and then got thepassengers and crew once more in regular spells at the pumps. 

We were terribly full of water; and as the ship rolled the night before, it was something awful to hear it rush from side to side of the hold, threatening every minute to force up the decks; but now keeping on aregular drain, the scuppers ran well, and hour by hour we rose higherand higher, and the ship, from sailing like a tub, began to answer herhelm easily, and to move through the water. 

It was towards afternoon that, for the first time, I remembered thecaptain, just, too, as he made his appearance on deck, white-looking, and ill, but now very angry and important. 

I had just sent some of the men aloft, and we were making more sail, when in a way that there was no need for, he ordered them down, at thesame time saying something very unpleasant to me. Just then I saw MrVallance step forward to where the other passengers were collected, manyof them being his own men; and then, after few words, they all came afttogether to where the captain stood, and Mr Vallance acted asspokesman. 

"Captain Johnson, " he said, "I am speaking the wishes of the passengersof this ship when I request you to go below to your cabin, and to staythere until we reach port. "

"Are you mad, sir?" exclaimed the captain. 

"Not more so than the rest of the passengers, " said Mr Vallance, "who, one and all, agree with me that they have no confidence in you ascaptain; and that, moreover, they consider that by your conduct you havevirtually resigned the command of the ship into Mr Robinson's hands. "

"Are you aware, Mr Passenger, that _Mister_ Robinson is one of theapprentices?"

"I am aware, sir, that he has carried this vessel through a fearfulstorm, when her appointed commander left those men and women in hischarge to their fate, while he, like a coward, went below to drown outall knowledge of the present with drink. "

He raved and stormed, and then called upon the crew to help him; but MrVallance told them that he would be answerable to the owners for theirconduct, and not a man stirred. I spoke to him till he turned angry, and insisted upon my keeping to the command, and backed up at last byboth passengers and crew, who laughed, and seemed to enjoy it; but Imust say that, until we cast anchor in Yarmouth Roads, they obeyed me toa man. 

So they made the captain keep for all the world like a prisoner to hiscabin till we entered the Tyne, after being detained a few days only inthe Roads, where it had been necessary to refit, both of the topmastsbeing snapped, and the jib-boom being sprung, besides our being leaky, though not so bad but that a couple of hours a day after the firstclearance kept the water under. 

Before we had passed Harwich very far, we had the beach yawls out, oneafter another, full of men wanting to board us and take us into harbour, so as to claim salvage. One and all had the same tale to tell us--thatwe could never get into port ourselves; and more than once it almosttook force to keep them from taking possession, for, not content withrendering help when it is wanted, they are only too ready to make theirhelp necessary, and have frightened many a captain before now intogiving up his charge into other hands. But with Mr Vallance at myback, I stood firm; and somehow or another I did feel something verymuch like pride when I took the brig safely into port, and listened tothe owners remarks. 

THE END.