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diff --git a/41594-8.txt b/41594-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 3f9b904..0000000 --- a/41594-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,12212 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Disputed V.C., by Frederick P. Gibbon - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Disputed V.C. - A Tale of the Indian Mutiny - -Author: Frederick P. Gibbon - -Illustrator: Stanley L. Wood - -Release Date: December 10, 2012 [EBook #41594] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DISPUTED V.C. *** - - - - -Produced by sp1nd and the Online Distributed Proofreading -Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from -images generously made available by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - -THE DISPUTED V.C. - - - - - BLACKIE & SON LIMITED - 50 Old Bailey, LONDON - 17 Stanhope Street, GLASGOW - - BLACKIE & SON (INDIA) LIMITED - Warwick House, Fort Street, BOMBAY - - BLACKIE & SON (CANADA) LIMITED - 1118 Bay Street, TORONTO - - - - - [Illustration: HE DROPPED THE LIGHTED CANDLE ON THE THIN TRAIL - OF POWDER _Page 88_ _Frontispiece_] - - - - -THE DISPUTED V.C. - - -A Tale of the Indian Mutiny - - -BY - -FREDERICK P. GIBBON - - -_Illustrated by Stanley L. Wood_ - - -BLACKIE & SON LIMITED - -LONDON AND GLASGOW - - - - -Zenith Library - - _BOYS_ - =The Disputed V.C.= Frederick P. Gibbon. - =The First Mate.= Harry Collingwood. - =The Boy Castaways.= H. Taprell Dorling. - ="Quills".= Walter C. Rhoades. - - _GIRLS_ - =The Youngest Sister.= Bessie Marchant. - =A Princess of Servia.= Bessie Marchant. - =A True Cornish Maid.= G. Norway. - =Meriel's Career.= Mary B. Whiting. - - -_Printed in Great Britain by Blackie & Son, Ltd., Glasgow_ - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAP. Page - I. TED DISAPPROVES 9 - II. AN EXCITING DAY 22 - III. TED DOES NOT THINK MUCH OF THE GUIDES 29 - IV. THE FANATICS 40 - V. THE CAD OF THE REGIMENT 46 - VI. THE OUTBREAK OF THE MUTINY 52 - VII. WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE 60 - VIII. THE FIGHT IN THE ARSENAL 69 - IX. DEFENCE OF THE COMMISSIONER'S HOUSE 89 - X. HOPE AND DESPAIR 104 - XI. IN THE CLUTCHES OF PIR BAKSH 111 - XII. THE TREACHERY OF THE GUIDES 122 - XIII. TYNAN MAKES HIS CHOICE 134 - XIV. THE MARCH OF THE GUIDE CORPS 145 - XV. TED'S FIRST BATTLE 154 - XVI. THE POST OF HONOUR 162 - XVII. WITH THE GURKHA PICKET 173 - XVIII. TED'S HOPES ARE RAISED AND DASHED TO THE GROUND 181 - XIX. TED'S FRIENDS ARE BEWILDERED 201 - XX. AN ADVENTURE ON THE RIDGE 214 - XXI. WOMBWELL'S MENAGERIE 229 - XXII. TED DISTINGUISHES HIMSELF 243 - XXIII. TED EXTINGUISHES HIMSELF 255 - XXIV. PIR BAKSH RENDERS TYNAN A SERVICE 266 - XXV. TO THE RESCUE 282 - XXVI. LUCKNOW RELIEVED 298 - XXVII. AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE NANA SAHIB 312 - XXVIII. THE FINAL SCENE AT LUCKNOW 330 - XXIX. JIM DISPOSED OF 342 - - - - -Illustrations - - - Facing Page - HE DROPPED THE LIGHTED CANDLE ON THE THIN TRAIL - OF POWDER _Frontispiece_ - - BATTYE ROSE IN HIS STIRRUPS AND THUNDERED FORTH - THE ORDER TO CHARGE 160 - - THE REBEL REELED AGAINST THE WALL 336 - - - - -CHAPTER I - -Ted Disapproves - - -Ted Russell, ensign of the 193rd Bengal Native Infantry, stationed at -Aurungpore, in the Punjab, was disgusted and irritable on this first day -of the never-to-be-forgotten year of 1857--a year destined to bring -untold misery to thousands of homes and families, and to many a race and -creed throughout Hindustan and the British Isles; a year that would -henceforward lie as a dark stain across the page of history. - -But our young friend's ill-humour could be traced to a much simpler -cause than a mere prophetic dread of the future. Ensign Russell had not -been in India many months, and during the whole of that short period he -had looked forward with lively and pleasant anticipation to a visit from -his brother Jim, whom he had seen but twice in the past ten years, and -who was quite a veteran warrior in Ted's admiring eyes. For Captain -Russell had been engaged in the Sikh war as well as in several affrays -with the border Pathans; he was the proud possessor of more than one -medal, and had quite a prominent scar across his face--the mark of a -Khyber knife. For the past twelve months he had held the rank of captain -in the ten-year-old corps of Guides, stationed near Peshawur across the -Indus, the town that guards the Khyber Pass--the gate of India. - -At length this hero-brother had obtained leave of absence to visit -Aurungpore, and great was the delight of both. - -Now, here is what had disgusted the ensign. Before the stalwart captain, -who had successfully held his own against Sikhs and Afghans, had been -with Ted a couple of days, he had actually suffered defeat at the hands -of a slip of a girl of twenty-one--a girl about five feet in height, the -daughter of Ted's colonel! Jim, who of all men should have been proof -against such silly nonsense--such idiocy!--had succumbed at first sight, -and instead of spinning yarns about his campaigns and his defence of -Chiras Fort, he was mooning about all day long in the wake of this Ethel -Woodburn. - -Ensign Russell quickly found that, whatever plans he might make for the -day, his brother would be sure to demur, unless the programme provided -some chance of their meeting or seeing Miss Woodburn. He would plead -fatigue or lack of interest, and then propose as an alternative -something either much more fatiguing, or--in the boy's eyes--much less -interesting. The paltry excuses he made for altering the plans! Poor -fellow, he thought that the "kid" would not see through his transparent -subterfuges; but that sharp-witted youngster was not so easily befooled, -and he voted the proceedings slow, and did not fail to express the -opinion that his brother was no better than a milksop. - -"You say you don't 'feel inclined' to ride to Khasmi to-day," exclaimed -Ted in disgust, "because your horse is not quite fit! Bosh! Nimrod never -was better in his life, and he's just eating his head off. I was looking -at him this morning; he's in the pink of condition, and he simply begged -me to take him out. Would he be in any better condition, I wonder, if -Ethel Woodburn was likely to be there?" - -Jim turned red, and sharply asked: "What had Miss Woodburn to do with -it?" - -"That's what I should like to know!" Ted retorted. He then looked up at -the ceiling, placed his hands in his pockets, and calmly observed: -"You've no chance there, Jim, she's hooked already." - -"What d'you say?" exclaimed the excited captain. "It's not true. What -d'you mean?" he repeated. "You don't say that Miss Woodburn is engaged?" - -"Oh, never mind Miss Woodburn!" drawled Ted in his most exasperating -manner. "What's she got to do with it? The question is whether we ride -to Khasmi or not." - -"Tell me what you mean, you little beggar," Jim went on, half angry, yet -laughing in spite of himself. - -Ted crossed his legs, and, still gazing at the ceiling, drawled: "Why, -be calm, Russell Major. You just asked what she had to do with the -matter of our ride to Khasmi. Why this sudden interest?" - -Captain Russell kept his temper and laughed. - -"Don't try to be too smart, young 'un," he advised. "But it isn't true -that she's engaged to be married, is it?" - -"Well--p'r'aps not exactly that she's engaged," Ted admitted. - -There was a tone of pompous condescension in his voice as he went on: -"But I hear that Sir Arthur Fletcher, the commissioner here, you know, -is gone on her, and, of course, as he's a splendid catch, the 'old man' -will want her to marry him, and I don't suppose she'll need much -pressing, for he's a jolly decent fellow. And besides him, half of our -fellows are in love with her, though I don't know why. I don't see much -in her myself; she seems a very ordinary sort of girl to me. And she's -such a little thing, you know!" - -"You conceited young booby!" Jim laughed. "I shall have to take the -bounce out of you, young man." - -Captain Russell began to hate the Commissioner of the Aurungpore -district very cordially, as well as all the unmarried officers of the -193rd--half of them for daring to aspire to the hand of his charmer, and -the other half for being such soulless clods as to refrain from -kneeling before the shrine at which he worshipped. Needless to add, -then, that he spent a most unhappy day and sleepless night. - -Jim was the eldest son, and Ted the third, of Major-General Russell, a -soldier who had distinguished himself as a youngster in the Gurkha war -of 1815, and later in the Afghan and Sikh campaigns. Jim had been ten -years in India, and had fought against the Sikhs and helped to conquer -their country, the Punjab, before he had been out many months. A year or -two later he and his cousin, Charlie Dorricot, had been shut up in the -small fort of Chiras, with a mere handful of sepoys, and they had come -through the siege with credit. Dorricot was now a lieutenant in the -Sirmur Battalion, stationed in the Dehra Dun, near Simla. - -The evening following the above conversation, Jim burst into Ted's -quarters. His face was flushed but beaming, and his eyes seemed to dance -through sheer happiness. By way of brotherly greeting he struck the -ensign in the chest. - -"Well, young 'un," he cheerfully exclaimed, "you may congratulate me!" - -"I'll--I'll knock you down!" answered Ted, staggering from the blow. -"You bully, why am I to be permitted to congratulate you?" - -By way of reply, Jim took hold of his scandalized brother and whirled -him round the room. - -"Because I'm engaged to be married, Ted, to the dearest, sweetest, best -girl in the world!" - -"Oh!" gasped Ted. He had divined the cause of Jim's excitement, but the -opportunity for making fun of his senior was too good to be thrown away. -"And what's the dearest, sweetest, best, loveliest, most adorable girl -in the world thinking of to have you? Besides, what about Miss Woodburn? -I thought you were sweet on her, you know." - -Captain Russell was a sterling good fellow, but his nature was somewhat -slower than that of his brother. He stared at the cheeky youngster for a -moment before he grasped the meaning of the sarcasm. He recollected that -these events formed privileged occasions for youthful wit, and grinned -affably; having gained his heart's desire he could afford to be -easy-tempered and tolerant of satire. - -"You young cub," he laughed, "you're too facetious for a small boy. It's -Ethel Woodburn I'm engaged to, as you know very well." - -"Oh!" said Ted slowly. "I didn't recognize her from that glowing -description." - -Russell Minor dodged out of reach, keeping the table between them. - -"Pax, old man, I'll apologize; I s'pose she's not a bad sort--for a -girl. So I congratulate you--that is, if you _had_ to go and get hooked -I don't know that you could have done better. Have you written home -yet?" - -"Do be sensible. How could I? Only settled it a couple of hours ago, and -I'm going to write now. Wonder what the mater'll think!" - -Captain Russell sat down and took out a pen and some writing-paper. He -shortly rose, however, and pushed the paper from him. - -"No, I'll wait till to-morrow," he muttered. "I'm not quite sure that -I'm not dreaming now, so I'll go and walk it off." - -This was going from bad to worse, thought Ted, as two more days passed -and his brother was spending all his precious leave walking or riding -about with the girl, who seemed just as stupidly happy as he. Though Ted -believed (in spite of his chaff) that no one could help liking and -admiring his brother, he could not see the sense of this falling in -love. Why on earth was this foolish Ethel Woodburn continually casting -hurried glances across the room at Jim? Still more incomprehensible was -the look of gloom that settled on his brother's face whenever Ethel -quitted the room for however short a period, or the sudden access of joy -when she returned. - -"Thank goodness, I shall never make such a fool of myself!" he -reflected; but even this thought did not console him for the loss of his -brother's society. True, both Jim and Ethel frequently asked him to join -in their rides and walks, but, recognizing the truth of the old saying -that "two's company, three's none", he decided not to become a nuisance -to the lovers. He was far from satisfied with the new conditions, -however, and considered himself ill-used. - -"Why should Ethel Woodburn come between us in this way," he grumbled to -himself, "when I'd been looking forward to such a good time with old -Jim? I wish she'd stayed in England." - -He became morose and irritable, answering curtly when Jim spoke to him, -and keeping out of Miss Woodburn's way as much as possible. Captain -Russell was too happy to take much notice of the change in the "young -'un's" manner, but Ethel observed it with pain. She liked Ted, and had -always considered him the nicest boy in the regiment, and her love and -admiration for Jim and the pleasure she found in being with him made her -see more clearly how the ensign felt the loss of his brother's society. -She hated the idea of causing a coolness between them, and determined to -do her utmost to gain Ted's friendship and reconcile him to the -inevitable. - -She therefore took the first opportunity to speak to him when Jim was -not present. - -"Ted," she began, "won't you come a ride with us to-morrow? I wish you -would." - -"Oh, you won't want me!" the ensign ungraciously replied. "I shall only -be in the way." - -"But we do want you, really. Jim came here to see you, and it seems -horrid of me to monopolize him as I have been doing, when you ought to -have the first claim. You know," she continued with a sparkle of fun in -her eyes, "that one can't help falling in love, so you must not be too -hard on us. You and I are to be brother and sister, and I do want us to -be good friends, and I wish to know you better, Ted. Do join us -to-morrow!" - -"Would you really like me to?" - -"I should, honestly. You'll come, won't you?" - -"Thank you very much, Ethel,--only I don't want to be a nuisance." - -"And I don't wish you to think me a nuisance. Thank you, Ted; it's very -decent of you to come." - -When she had gone, Ted was undecided whether to be pleased or not. In -common with many others he found a certain unhealthy enjoyment in -cherishing a grievance. Our hero was a good specimen of the type of boy -from whose ranks the British ensign was recruited. Rather tall for his -age, he was well built and proportioned, not weedy; fairly good-looking, -though by no means handsome, with honest eyes that could look one -straight in the face. A good athlete and gymnast, he had been regarded -as the strongest forward in the school fifteen. He was also a good -bowler, and the best outfield in the school, though he did not shine -with the bat. His intellectual attainments had perhaps been less -striking, though no one had ever classed him as a "duffer". Many a -scrape had he been in, and many a punishment had he received, and he had -never tried to clear himself by means of a lie. - -Being therefore a healthy-minded boy, he saw clearly, when Miss Woodburn -had left him, that his fit of sulks and jealousy had been rather -foolish, and that his grievances against her were imaginary. No one -likes to appear a fool even to one's self, so, not unnaturally, false -pride set to work to seek excuses for his conduct, and when the time -came to join them, he was still undecided, and almost ready to take the -first opportunity to desert them. - -They trotted away from cantonments, past the tank, and along a road that -led between stretches of level fields green with the young corn. The -faint breeze brought with it the clean smell of damp earth, recalling to -Ted's mind many a ride at home when the wind blew from the south-west. -Ethel and Jim were in the highest of spirits, and they chaffed one -another freely, greatly to the edification of the ensign, who had -anticipated unlimited "spooning"--a state of mind he loathed. He quickly -made the discovery that his future sister-in-law was by no means bad -fun, and when he and Jim entered into a dispute respecting the merits of -the Guides as compared with the 193rd, Ethel took his side against her -lover, wittily supporting the ensign's arguments and making fun of the -Guides. Strange to say, Captain Russell appealed to like and admire the -raillery of the girl he worshipped. - -Ethel Woodburn was not merely a good-looking, dainty, and sweet-tempered -girl--she was good throughout; and as she was not above taking pains to -gain the approval of her lover's brother, she rapidly won a place in -that youth's by no means too susceptible heart. - -Ethel was a graceful horsewoman, and this accomplishment told in Ted's -eyes, for he himself was an uncommonly good rider to hounds. Accustomed -to horses from his earliest childhood, he loved and understood the noble -creatures. When home from school in the winter he had rarely missed a -meet of the Cheshire hounds, and had more than once been in at the -death. So fond was he of horses that he had set his heart upon joining a -cavalry regiment, but Major-General Russell had decided against that -expensive luxury. - -He therefore approved cordially, and with open admiration, of Ethel's -fearless riding and firm seat, and, muttering to himself "She'll do!" he -began to acquiesce more willingly in the new order of things. - -Ted's horse--"Tommy Dodd"--a powerful roan purchased quite recently, was -young and foolish, and started violently on the slightest provocation, -swerving from one side of the road to the other, or prancing on -hind-legs with frightened eyes and twitching ears. But the boy kept his -seat with unperturbed face, soothing the steed until Tommy had recovered -from his alarm. Ethel, for her part, watched his perfect mastery of the -animal with undisguised admiration. - -"You're fond of horses, Ted; ain't they glorious?" she asked, stroking -her chestnut affectionately. "I'm glad we have tastes in common." - -"Yes. I think I like riding better than anything else," the ensign -replied with enthusiasm. - -"Ted's a good rider!" Jim observed approvingly; "a good deal better than -I am. He took to it like a duck to water." - -"By the way, Jim, you're staying over the races, ain't you?" the younger -brother enquired. - -"Let me see, when do they come off? To-day week?" - -"Yes, you _must_ stay!" declared Ethel. - -"I think I can manage it, but I must certainly leave on the following -day." - -"Shall we carry off the cup, Ted?" the girl went on, appealing to the -ensign's _esprit de corps_ with a smile that went to his heart. The -Aurungpore cup was now in the mess-room of the 193rd, and strenuous -efforts were to be made to wrest it from the regiment. - -"I don't think anything is likely to beat 'The Padre' if Markham's knee -will only get better." - -"Is the regiment putting its trust in Captain Markham's mount, then?" -asked Jim. - -"Yes," replied the girl. "We have two other horses entered, but they say -that neither of them will have a chance against Lieutenant Harrington's -of the Ahmednuggur Irregulars, or Mr. Vernon's 'Flying Fox'." - -"Who's he?" - -"Mr. Vernon? Oh, he's a civilian--a 'duck'." - -"Madame!" exclaimed Jim, pretending to appear shocked beyond measure. - -"Yes, sir; a duck!" Ethel repeated, unabashed. - -"Please understand, madame, that you must henceforward apply that -endearing epithet to no one save your affianced husband," Jim -peremptorily ordered. - -"I shall certainly not apply it to you, Jim," replied the laughing girl. -"I do respect you a little, you know." - -"That's so," interposed Ted. "Old Jim's a good bit of an ass, you know, -but he's not quite idiotic or depraved enough to be likened to a duck. -Is Mr. Vernon a fool that you call him that?" - -"By no means; he's a most charming man. I simply intimated that until -recently he has been employed in the Company's service in the Bombay -Presidency. Haven't you learned that slang yet, Ted?" - -"No! What on earth do you mean?" - -"Well, if a man serves in Bengal he's a _Qui hy_; in Bombay he becomes a -_duck_, and in Madras he's _benighted_. You know that you're a -_griffin_,[1] I suppose?" - - [1] A new-comer--equivalent to the American "tenderfoot". - -"Oh, yes! I know that much." - -"In reply to your question, then, Jim, Mr. Vernon has not been here -long; he owns a good horse, and he's a first-rate rider. One of your -Guide officers is in too, is he not?" - -"Spencer means to have a try, and he'll take a lot of beating. The men -of the Guides cavalry can ride, understand, and you ought to feel -honoured that one is going to take the trouble to patronize your races." - -"Ah, well! the 193rd don't fear any officers of the Guides; do we, Ted?" - -"Not a bit! The Guides are only a lot of brigands!" he made answer. - -"Exactly. I keep telling your brother that it will go against the grain -to marry a man in such a disreputable corps." - -Jim grinned. "Then give me back my freedom," said he. - -"I don't know what we shall do," continued the girl, treating this -remark with the contempt it deserved, "if Captain Markham's knee refuses -to get right. He's a perfect steeple-chaser, and it's as much through -his handling as the merits of his horse that we hope to win the day. -'The Padre' is a most lovable animal, but this is his first -steeple-chase." - -"Can no one take Markham's place, then, if he should be unable to ride?" - -"I'm afraid not. You see, none of our officers is first-class at the -sport, and the two best are already engaged to ride their own mounts. So -if 'The Padre's' owner doesn't ride--why, we shall lose the cup." - -Suddenly a bright and joyful idea seized upon the girl. - -"Why, Ted," she exclaimed, "I believe you could ride him!" - -"Oh, no! I don't know the horse, and I've never ridden in a flat race, -much less a steeple-chase." - -"You'd do it very well," affirmed the elder brother, and praise from Jim -was praise indeed. It was the first compliment he had paid the "young -'un" during the visit. - -"I'm sure you would, Ted," the girl affirmed. "Do--for the honour of the -193rd!" - -Flushed with excitement and with the glow of perfect health, Ethel -Woodburn looked charming that winter morning. Needless to say that one -man in the world thought so. Ted blushed at the compliment to his -riding. - -"But what about Markham?" he objected. "I suppose you'll consult him -first? It's hardly likely that he'd trust me on 'The Padre'." - -"That will be all right. I can manage Captain Markham." - -"Oh indeed, madame!" observed Jim. "Another wretched victim of your -wiles, I suppose?" - -"Exactly so, sir. I trust this will show you the necessity for good -behaviour if you wish to remain honoured by my favour." - -Ensign Russell was beginning to think that after all engaged couples did -not of necessity behave in quite so silly a fashion as he had imagined. -Certainly these two seemed to enjoy poking fun at one another, and -showed no signs of "spooning", each treating the other as the best of -friends. Ethel was undoubtedly an uncommonly jolly girl, quite without -"side", and the boy was enjoying the ride immensely. How they behaved -when he was not present he had no means of judging. Possibly he would -have changed his opinion had he known. - -By this time the three had returned close to the regimental -parade-ground, and, obedient to the pressure of Ted's right leg, "Tommy -Dodd" wheeled and trotted towards his stable. - -Captain Markham was only too glad to learn from Miss Woodburn of our -hero's riding capabilities and willingness to mount "The Padre". The -owner explained to Ted that he had bestowed this name on the animal on -account of its wonderful good temper and gentle nature. - -"If ever there was a genial horse it's 'The Padre'. Whatever happens, -you feel that you simply can't lose your temper whilst you're riding -him, he would be so shocked and hurt." - -"You should mount Tynan on him, then," suggested Ted, in allusion to a -brother ensign, a lad of seventeen, who rarely omitted to include a few -blackguardly oaths in his conversation. - -"That little wretch! I wouldn't allow him to touch 'The Padre', even -with his gloves on. I shall be kicking that sweet youth one of these -days--hard! I wish he would see the advisability of exchanging into some -other regiment." - -"The Padre" was a gray four-year-old thoroughbred; a compact horse, to -whose bold, friendly, wide-apart eyes Ted at once took a liking. His -long lean head and well-shaped neck, firmly set on good sloping -shoulders, augured a first-class chaser, as did also his powerful back -and loins, strong quarters, and short flat feet. Ted looked him over, -and knew enough to appreciate these points, and was also glad to notice -that there was plenty of length from hip to hock. - -"The last half-mile of the course is downhill," Markham informed him, -"and that is where 'The Padre's' shoulders will come in." - -Ted mounted the gray, and almost before his knees had gripped the saddle -he felt that he had never been on so noble a beast before. He trotted -and cantered up and down the parade-ground before giving the horse his -head, and then returned to the owner flushed and joyful. - -The captain's eyes twinkled. - -"You'll do, I think, Russell; I can easily see that you like one -another." - -"He's just grand!" was the boy's enthusiastic comment. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -An Exciting Day - - -Every morning saw the boy thoroughly practising his mount, encouraged by -the owner, and at length the eventful day arrived. - -A large and gay crowd had gathered about the course, and included every -white man and woman in the station, not to speak of the thousands of -Sikhs, Punjabis, Afghans, and Hindus who had assembled to witness the -Englishman's sport. The 193rd Native Infantry had turned out in -hundreds, keen on the victory of Markham Sahib's horse, and ready to -applaud until their voices gave out. There were officers in uniform and -officers without uniform; many coming from distant stations to witness -the race, which was the most important in that part of the Punjab. -Several of the British, and one or two of the native officers of the -Ahmednuggur Irregular Cavalry, had travelled down to back Lieutenant -Harrington. A wild-looking native officer of the Guides, who had come to -watch Spencer Sahib win the cup, was pointed out by Jim as a celebrated -robber and cut-throat, Bahram Khan by name. - -"Rummy beggar is Bahram Khan!" declared the captain. "Dick Turpin was an -infant to him. Look how the Punjabis and Hindus are gazing at him, and -how he grins back--and then they begin to shiver." - -"Why? Are they afraid of him?" - -"Rather. I'll tell you who he is afterwards." - -"A pleasant type of man to have in one's regiment, Ted," was Ethel's -comment in a stage aside. - -"Disgusting!" was the laconic response. - -On the outskirts of the crowd several Pathan dealers were taking -advantage of the presence of so many lovers of horses to sell their -ponies and country-bred steeds to the unwary. Nor were the inevitable -jugglers and snake-charmers wanting. The fences were stiff, even to the -lad who had hunted over the best country in Cheshire, and the -water-jumps were big, though no wider than some he had taken "The Padre" -over during the past few days. The course was rather more than three -miles, the last six hundred yards being a straight run to the -winning-post. - -A native officer came out of the throng and caressed "The Padre". - -"Mind you win, Ensign Sahib," laughed Subadar Pir Baksh, "for the honour -of the corps." - -"I will try my best, Subadar," Ted assured him; and Pir Baksh showed his -even white teeth as he playfully threatened the ensign should he lose. - -"Now, old boy," was Ethel's greeting, "never speak to me again if our -'Padre' loses--he's the horse of the regiment, you must remember. -Whatever you do don't let that horrid Guide man win. An upstart corps -like that, recruited from Thugs and Dacoits, must never get the better -of the old-established 193rd." - -"'Horrid Guide man' indeed!" laughed Jim. "Spencer's one of the best men -I know; and remember, my lady, that you will be a Guide woman very -soon." - -Changing the subject he added: "You're only fifth favourite, Ted." - -"Didn't know I was so high as that. Who's favourite?" - -"The 'horrible Guide' horse and the 'Duck's' mount, 'Flying Fox', are -equal, the Ahmednuggur comes next, and you are fifth." - -"Never mind, Ted," said Ethel encouragingly. "'The Padre' was second -favourite when it was thought that Markham would be up, and you're -lighter than he." - -"But that won't make any difference; I shall have to carry the extra -weight." - -"Oh, will you? That's not fair!" - -Jim laughed. "Go and talk to the handicapper, Ethel; use your wiles on -the innocent man and explain the unfairness! I intended to put a couple -of rupees, young 'un, on Spencer's 'Cabul' for the sake of the corps, -but this tyrant has forbidden the transaction. Never get engaged, lad; -you see what it's brought me to--I have to obey. She says that she -objects to betting, but in reality she objects to my sticking up for my -own regiment." - -"I'm ashamed of your relative, Ted," the girl asserted. "He's no -brotherly feeling. Fancy wanting to bet against your mount!" - -"It's just like him!" the ensign feelingly declared. "I don't understand -how anyone so dainty as you, Ethel, could stoop to such an Orson." - -Ethel blushed and Jim exploded. - -"Here, drop that, young 'un; you mustn't trespass on my preserves. Fancy -the kid paying a compliment of that kind! Why, little woman, he told me -about ten days ago that you were 'a very ordinary sort of girl', and -that 'he didn't see much in you'." - -"Well, he's made up for it now. It was a very pretty compliment, Ted, -and I thank you.... I often wonder myself." - -After the preliminary canter Ted brought his horse to the starting-post, -where seven other competitors had already assembled. "The Padre" was not -the technical favourite, yet he was decidedly the most popular horse -there, for Captain Markham was better liked by the sepoys of the 193rd -than any of the officers, although Colonel Woodburn and several of the -others were highly popular with the men. The sepoys quite drowned all -the other noises of the crowd by their vociferous acclamations, and the -young rider was the recipient of numerous encouraging remarks and hearty -good-wishes from his brother officers and from the ladies of the -Aurungpore station. - -Lieutenant Spencer's black horse "Cabul" had now advanced to the -position of first favourite. "Cabul" was easily the best-looking horse -present, as his rider was the most handsome and perfect horseman. The -officer of the Guides Cavalry sat like a centaur, and our hero saw at a -glance that he could not hope to compete in "noble horsemanship" with -his brother's comrade. The black, however, seemed nervous and fretful, -and his shoulders were lightly flecked with foam. Bahram Khan, the -famous brigand chief, sat by Spencer's side before they prepared for the -start, soothing and caressing the noble beast as he talked earnestly to -its rider. - -"He's a good horse," observed Markham, "but he's not perfect; his -shoulders can't compare with 'The Padre's', and I doubt whether he's -quite so game, for mine enjoys it, and that's not common in -steeple-chasing. You should beat him down the hill." - -Mr. Vernon's light chestnut was also a handsome animal, far more so than -the lean gray of the Ahmednuggur Irregulars. - -The ensign's nerve was largely affected by the unwonted excitement as he -reined his mount alongside the others; an indistinguishable mass of -white and brown humanity appeared to float before his eyes; and all he -heard of the shouts and comments was a confused and distant murmuring, -or rather buzzing. Mechanically he prepared for the start. - -The flag dropped, and the starter scurried to one side; "The Padre" -leapt from under him and plunged away, the spectators seeming to swim -past. He shook off the trance and partially recovered his -self-possession. In front were Mr. Vernon's "Flying Fox", and another -and darker chestnut. Aligned with him were the Ahmednuggur gray and a -bay; the remaining three were slightly to the rear, for the pace was one -that would soon tell. - -Miss Woodburn watched with much anxiety as they came to the first fence, -and began to regret that she was responsible for inducing the boy to -take part in the dangerous pastime. But "The Padre" went over like a -bird, and no one came to grief. The second and third obstacles were well -taken by the whole field, but the leading chestnut (the horse of a -comrade) fell at the fourth and was out of it. At the next--a -water-jump--the Ahmednuggur gray swerved and lost ground, and a moment -later the bay, who had got in front, carried away one of the -hurdles--the easiest obstacle of the course. Ted was now calm enough to -take all this in, and he became aware that he had only two horses to -fear, "Cabul" and "Flying Fox". The black was now about a length behind, -whilst the chestnut was almost as much in front of him. - -More than two miles had been covered before "Cabul" began to forge -slowly ahead of "The Padre", and to gain gradually on "Flying Fox", who, -by his tail's convulsive twitching and his heaving flanks, was beginning -to throw out signals of distress. - -Even at that exciting moment the boy could not but admire the strong -seat, light firm hands, and splendid horsemanship of Lieutenant Spencer. -They had approached a hedge side by side, and though "The Padre" was -going quite as well as, if not even better than "Cabul", the latter -seemed to glide over the obstacle and was away on the other side a good -yard in front. The boy knew that the time was lost in collecting his -horse for the jump, and after landing on the other side, and as he felt -convinced that his mount was speedier and quicker on his legs than -Spencer's, and had better shoulders for landing, he could not understand -how his rival managed to fly the fences with so little decrease in his -speed and collect himself and get away on the other side without a -pause. And it seemed no effort! - -The last jump was taken by the black a length in front of the gray, who -in his turn had beaten the chestnut by nearly as much. No other horse -was within thirty yards of the leader. But whereas Spencer had driven -his steed speedily at this wide water-jump, and had cleared it in -gallant style, "The Padre" jumped slightly short, and though he quickly -pulled himself together, he was now nearly two lengths behind. Still he -was going merrily and gamely, with any amount of spring and stay, and -the ensign recognized despairingly that he bestrode the swifter and more -clever horse, and was being beaten by his rival's horsemanship and -superior judgment. - -And it is now a straight run to the judge's stand. Ted fancies to his -delight that "Cabul" appears somewhat done, and his rider is undoubtedly -having to urge him along for the first time. But with Spencer--in -striking contrast to the rider of the bay who came to grief at the -solitary line of hurdles--there is no flourishing of the whip, no -nervous jerking of the reins: the officer of the Guides preserves his -calm and impassive demeanour, for he understands his mount. In his -excitement the boy speaks to "The Padre", and that willing beast seems -to comprehend and gallantly responds. - -From her horse's back, on a little mound near the judge's box, Ethel -Woodburn cranes forward eagerly. Yes, down the hill the gray is slowly -gaining on the black! - -One hundred and fifty yards away and "The Padre's" head is level with -"Cabul's" tail. They see Ted for the first time touch the horse lightly -with his heels, the spur pricking a handsbreadth behind the girths; a -couple of quick strokes with the whip and the clever gray knows that the -time has come, and they see him bound forward. Eighty yards away and -Ted's knee is in line with "Cabul's" tail. The black is labouring hard, -and under an ordinary rider would have given in, but Lieutenant Spencer -is no ordinary rider. - -Two more strides and the riders are level, and amid a roar which breaks -out on every side, and which the boy only hears as a distant murmur, -"The Padre" wins by a neck. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -Ted does not think much of the Guides - - -Quite dazed and half-unconscious Ted was lifted from the saddle. As in a -dream he heard the prolonged applause of his mess-mates and the shrill -yells of delight raised by the swarthy men of the 193rd. Lieutenant -Spencer held out his hand to the victor and looked him approvingly in -the face. - -"You young scoundrel!" he cheerfully exclaimed, "I congratulate you. You -deserved to win." - -Ted heartily returned the handshake of his brother's friend, and -muttered something to the effect that the horse should be given all the -credit, not the rider. So great a triumph he had never before known, yet -he bore his honours modestly. Colonel Woodburn, Major Munro, Captain -Markham, and other mess-mates were quickly on the spot, patting and -praising both horse and rider. The thumps on the back given to Ted were -rather more vigorous than those awarded to "The Padre", and the ensign -had little breath wherewith to make suitable reply to the shower of -congratulations. Pir Baksh, the subadar, waved his sword wildly and led -the sepoys in their volleys of deafening applause. - -There was one jarring note. A brother ensign who was strolling moodily -past the group moved a step nearer to Ted and snarled in an undertone: - -"I've dropped two hundred rupees to-day, thanks to you." - -It was Harry Tynan--a tall, handsome lad with dark hair inclined to -curl, and big brown eyes; the type of boy who from childhood is petted -and spoilt by mothers and aunts. Unless such an one possesses an -exceptionally strong character the result is fatal, and Tynan showed a -weak mouth and chin. - -"The Padre's" owner caught the whisper. - -"More fool you, you young idiot!" Markham genially observed, as the -silly youngster turned away with a muttered curse. - -Miss Woodburn's congratulations were even more welcome than the praises -of his comrades. - -"I'm proud of my future brother," she said. "You rode just splendidly. -Oh, it was exciting! I gave up all hope at the last water-jump.... And -then when you began to overhaul him down the incline! Didn't the -shouting affect your nerves?" - -Ted shook his head. "I don't remember hearing anything. For all I knew -there might not have been a single person within miles except me and -Spencer--I mean Spencer and I--Spencer and myself, I should say." - -"I could hardly hold myself in," went on Ethel. "I was dancing up and -down--screaming, I'm afraid." - -"You were indeed, madame," interposed Jim. "You were making a most -discreditable exhibition." - -"Ted," exclaimed the girl, "will you marry me? I'm tired of your -brother." - -"That I will!" replied Ted. "To-morrow if you like. I never could -imagine what you could see in that chap, you know." - -"Very well, I'll abandon him to his fate. He was actually cheering on -that Guide fellow during the last hundred yards." - -"The brute!" - -"Isn't he?" - -"Who--the Guide fellow?" - -With this embarrassing query Lieutenant Spencer joined the party. Ethel -blushed crimson, and for once in her life was at a loss for a remark. -Jim chuckled away to himself at his sweetheart's discomfiture in most -brutal fashion. - -"That's right, Spencer," said he. "Come and back me up, I'm in a -minority here." - -Miss Woodburn recovered from her confusion. She had already been -introduced by Jim to "that Guide fellow". - -"I really beg your pardon, Lieutenant Spencer. We were indulging in a -little inter-regimental chaff and abuse. Captain Russell had dared to -applaud you rather than his brother at the final burst. And you don't -understand how fond we all are of 'The Padre'. He's the regimental -horse." - -"Please don't apologize," Miss Woodburn. "I quite understand and -sympathize with you. Indeed, I'm glad you're scorching him, for he needs -it. And so he was cheering me in preference to your favourite? He must -have most execrable taste." - -"Thank you, Spencer!" Jim hurriedly and joyfully broke in. "Thanks!... -Be grateful, Ethel. Don't you see how very complimentary to you that -remark is?" - -For a few moments Miss Woodburn struggled with her amusement, but -laughter mastered her, and she could not speak before Spencer had -partially recovered his senses and recognized what a left-handed -compliment he had paid her. The Guides lieutenant was far more confused -and nervous now than at any time during the steeple-chase. - -With crimson face he offered reparation. - -"It's my turn to apologize now, Miss Woodburn. I think you'll forgive -me, though. It's my misfortune that I'm not very intelligent." - -"I couldn't dream of doing so, Lieutenant Spencer," Ethel asserted, -still laughing. "You paid me out nicely, and I'm sure you did it -wilfully; it was far too smart to be unintentional." - -"'Pon my honour, I didn't. I'm not half sharp enough to say anything of -that kind except by accident. One can't be perfect, you know, and we -must take into account that Russell did show poor taste in applauding -the inferior horse and rider--especially going against your opinion, -though we must acknowledge his perfect taste in at least one respect." - -"I must forgive you after that, Mr. Spencer, though it was rather -crude," said the girl, shaking her head. - -"And I say, Spencer," Jim interposed, "don't talk about 'inferior -rider'. We all know, and Ted knows, that you are a far better horseman -than he." - -"Of course I do," the ensign heartily agreed. - -"Too much praise isn't good for a youngster," the elder brother -sagaciously opined. - -Spencer placed a hand on Ted's shoulder. - -"All the same, young 'un, you won the Aurungpore Cup, and you deserved -to win." - -The party of four came to a halt opposite Colonel Woodburn's bungalow. - -"What time shall we start back for Murdan to-morrow?" asked the -lieutenant. - -"We must leave early," Jim replied. "Will eight o'clock suit?" - -"Very good," Spencer assented; "the young 'un and I will leave you -here." - -"But you must not think of leaving us yet, Mr. Spencer. Won't you come -in? My father would be delighted to know you." - -"Couldn't dream of it, Miss Woodburn, delighted though I should be to -make the colonel's acquaintance. It will be some time before Russell -gets leave again, and your last evening shall be sacred. Good-bye, Miss -Woodburn! I'm very glad to have met you. And may I congratulate you -both? I've known Russell well for some years, and I can congratulate -you, and--forgive me for saying it--I've known you for a couple of days, -and I do most sincerely congratulate him." - -Ethel pressed the "horrid Guide man's" hand, and when he and Ted had -departed, observed: - -"Whilst congratulations are passing round, Jim, I congratulate you on -your friend." - -Ted shared a small, one-story residence just outside the town with his -chum Ensign Paterson. His bedroom was only just large enough to allow -sleeping-room for Jim, but hearing that Captain Russell's comrade of the -Guides was coming to Aurungpore, Paterson had placed his equally limited -accommodation at Spencer's disposal. Arrived at home, Ted doffed the -pigskin and discussed horses and riding with his guest until the time -came for them to sally forth once more. A dinner was to be given by the -officers of the 193rd in honour of the triumph of their regiment. For -the third time in succession they had won the Aurungpore Cup, and Ted -was the hero of the hour. He enjoyed the rôle until, his health having -been drunk with acclamation, he was called upon for a speech. - -Such an ordeal had never been contemplated, and he had to be dragged to -his feet, a victim of nervous funk. As he faced his quizzing comrades -his mind was a blank; he stammered a few incoherent sentences intended -for thanks, and abruptly sat down again, feeling convinced that he had -qualified for a place in any home for the feeble-minded. Yet the older -officers liked him better for this lack of self-confidence than had he -shown no sign of confusion. In reply to the toast, "Our Guests", -Lieutenant Spencer made a neat and witty speech that set everyone at his -ease. - -The ordeal over, Spencer, Paterson, and Ted returned to the little -bungalow, and settled down to await Jim's arrival. Lieutenant Spencer -filled his pipe and lay back in the one chair that the apartment -boasted, Paterson sat straddle-legged across a camp-stool, and Ted -squatted on a box with his back to the wall and his legs dangling. The -room was lighted by a candle stuck in a bottle, for were they not in the -"Gorgeous East" where luxury and splendour reign supreme? - -"So you fellows of the 193rd are proud of your regiment!" the Guides' -officer observed. - -"It's a first-class corps," Ted replied. "They fought like good 'uns -throughout both Sikh wars. You see, we've Bhurtpore as well as Sobraon, -Moodkee, and Gujerat on the colours; and the colonel says he'd lead 'em -anywhere--they'd follow their officers to the death. Markham's the -favourite with the men, though they're very fond of the 'old man' and -Major Munro." - -"Yours is a queer corps, is it not, Lieutenant Spencer?" Paterson asked. - -Spencer chuckled. - -"It is! But I'm proud of being in the Guides." - -"They say," continued the Scotch boy, "that you have all the frontier -races in the corps--Afridis, Afghans, and other Pathan tribes, Sikhs and -Gurkhas--and that some of them have been robbers and outlaws, and -murderers even. Is that true?" - -Spencer chuckled still more. - -"Quite true. We have all sorts--men with the best of characters, men -with the worst, and men with no characters at all. We've outlaws and -dacoits, thieves and murderers--though they don't call themselves -murderers; they resemble the border raiders of Scotland of some hundreds -of years ago. But every man who joins the Guides has to be strong, -healthy, active, brave as a lion, able to track like a Red Indian, -climb mountains, and think for himself. Lumsden gets hold of the most -daring men on the border, such as Dilawur Khan and Futteh Khan and -Bahram Khan, and makes Guides of them. They don't get coddled; and I -guess we shall have more work to do in the future than any regiment in -India. We've men of all races and creeds and men of no race or -creed--mostly big truculent Pathans, and nearly a hundred jolly little -Gurkhas sent us by the King of Nepal at Sir Henry Lawrence's request. -Oh, it's a grand corps! and we can get as many men as we like--scores -apply for every vacancy. Why, there are dozens of fellows learning the -drill at their own expense, both cavalry and infantry, waiting for an -opportunity to join us. There's no other regiment in India or England -can say the same." - -"Well, I'd rather serve in the 193rd B.N.I.," Ted declared. "I shouldn't -care to trust your Guides very far. Why, many of your Sikhs must have -fought against us eight years ago; and as for the Afridis and Yusufzais, -they're always raiding British territory and killing our men, whilst the -sepoys of the 193rd have fought under British colours for half a -century." - -"That's right, young 'un; stick up for your regiment." - -"Jim was going to tell me," Ted remarked, "something about that Pathan -officer who was speaking to you this morning. Who is he?" - -"Bahram Khan, do you mean?" - -"Yes, that's the man. We noticed the natives shrinking from him when he -looked at them. Why was that?" - -The lieutenant lay back in his chair and smiled. - -"His is a queer story and typical of the Guides," he replied. "A few -years ago he was a well-known outlaw and brigand chief, who raided and -burnt villages and robbed right and left. We could never catch him, so -Lumsden, our colonel, offered to make him an officer if he'd join the -Guides, and he consented and brought his brigands with him." - -Paterson regarded the speaker curiously. - -"Is that a fact?" he asked. - -"It is an absolute fact." - -"We'd keep that sort of ruffian out of the 193rd, wouldn't we, -Paterson?" Ted asserted. "Aren't you afraid that you'll wake up some -morning with all your throats cut?" - -"Not in the least. I'd rather be with the Guides than any corps. With -all respect to your sepoys of the 193rd, they've neither the stamina nor -the resource of our fellows." - -"H'm! you're welcome to them. Eh, Paterson?" - -"I agree with you, Ted. Have you ever seen Colonel Nicholson, Lieutenant -Spencer?" - -"Jan Nikkulseyn? Rather. I sha'n't forget the first time I met him. It -was south of Peshawur, close to the border, where a gang of Afghan -labourers were making a road, protected by a half-company of sepoys -under an English subaltern, for it was in a wild district. It was just -after the rains, and a bullock-cart had stuck fast in the deep mud; and -the bullocks, not having the grit of a horse, wouldn't make any efforts. -I happened to be riding past with a couple of troopers. A big fellow -standing by in civilian dress had taken his coat off and put his -shoulder to the wheel, but they couldn't move it. This civilian, whom I -took to be the man in charge of the work, then asked the lieutenant and -the sepoys to lend a hand. But the sepoys coolly informed him that they -had enlisted to fight, not to do menial work, and the officer said: - -"'It's no business of mine. I'm here to protect the road-makers, not to -do their work.' - -"I dismounted, and so did one of my two men. The other, Hafiz Khan, bent -down and whispered: - -"'I go to get help, Lieutenant Sahib'; and before I could stop him he -was galloping away. Well, we two turned the scale--though the big -civilian was worth us both--and at last we got the cart out and trotted -away. A mile or two farther on we saw Hafiz Khan waiting for us, and -when I slanged him for not staying to help us, he replied: - -"'But he once threatened to hang me, Lieutenant Sahib, and Jan -Nikkulseyn never breaks his word'. - -"'Who?' I asked, quite taken aback. - -"'Jan Nikkulseyn. I am not afraid of a little pushing and pulling, but -of Jan Nikkulseyn are we all afraid.' - -"The civilian was Colonel Nicholson. Hafiz Khan had been engaged in two -or three raids before he had enlisted, and, bold as they are, there's -not a Pathan along the border dare look Nicholson between the eyes." - -"And what became of the lieutenant?" asked Ted. - -"He applied for an important appointment at Peshawur a month later. He -found out his mistake then, and felt sorry he'd ever been born." - -A clatter of hoofs interrupted their talk, and Ted ran to the outer door -to admit his brother. Captain Russell was quiet and grave, for his happy -days had come to an end, and to-morrow the dull routine of regimental -work would begin again. He was evidently little inclined for -conversation, and before long the four officers passed off into the -adjoining bedrooms. - -Captain Russell was well liked by about one-half of his acquaintances, -and disliked by a good proportion of the remainder. His friends knew him -for a brave, good-hearted, conscientious man, and his detractors termed -him a prig. The fault was in his manner, at times heavy, awkward, and -solemn, largely the result of shyness, for with intimate friends he -could be lively and full of fun. - -Serious thoughts occupied his mind as he undressed. Ought not he, the -elder brother and man of experience, to give the youngster a few words -of advice, before leaving him, on some subjects more serious than -steeple-chasing? But how to begin? Jim Russell knew his own failings, -and dreaded lest Ted should sneer at him as a prig; and he envied his -chum, Spencer, who, he felt sure, could have given the lad sound advice -and warning without the least suspicion of preaching. However, Jim was -conscientious, and he resolved to take the risk. - -The ensign's evident _esprit de corps_ and delight in his regiment -furnished an admirable opening, and sitting on the low bed -half-undressed, the elder brother spoke like a father to the younger -concerning his duty to the regiment. - -Then, as the captain was an enthusiastic admirer of the great brothers -Henry and John Lawrence, and of their band of devoted followers, the -first topic naturally led to a eulogy of the Punjab leaders; and Jim -explained to the ensign how Henry Lawrence had begun, and how John -Lawrence was now carrying on the work of showing to the wild Sikhs, -Jats, and Mohammedans of the Punjab the highest ideal of British justice -and uprightness. - -Ted listened attentively, but said nothing. He too was already filled -with admiration for those Christian soldiers and statesmen who were soon -to save India. - -"Not that I want you to be an objectionable young prig," the captain -went on; "there's a big difference between that and the genuine article. -You know what I mean?" - -The ensign nodded, and Jim continued: - -"I like your chum--Paterson; he seems a very decent lad. And I noticed -on one occasion that he showed he was not ashamed of his religion. Why -should we so-called Christians be so afraid of acting up to what we -profess to believe? Look at the Lawrences and Herbert Edwardes, three of -the greatest men in India! They are true Christians, and where could -you find finer soldiers and braver men? It's a poor soldier who's -ashamed of his colours." - -Ted nodded assent, and, feeling that he had done his duty, Jim bade him -good-night and blew out the candle. - -An early breakfast next morning, and our ensign and his two visitors -were in the saddle by seven o'clock. Ten minutes later Ethel Woodburn -cantered up, attended by a sais, and Spencer and Ted ambled along, -keeping well ahead of the lovers. - -"I suppose that's the fort over there?" Spencer asked, and pointed to an -ugly square building of dark sandstone that dominated the town. - -"Yes, it's an arsenal too. There'd be a big smash in Aurungpore if it -was to blow up," said Ted, who little thought of the influence that -forbidding fortress would exert upon his career. - -"It has half-ruined the town already by its ugliness," Spencer mused. -"That mosque on the left is a little gem, and that dome is perfect, but -the arsenal spoils them as completely as a factory chimney spoils a view -at home. The Moslems beat us at architecture." - -"I think I must be turning back now," Ted presently observed, "I have -plenty to do before parade." - -They came to a halt and awaited the arrival of the others. The lovers -parted, Ted shook hands with Jim and Spencer, and nodded in response to -his brother's parting injunction to take care of Ethel. Miss Woodburn -stayed, waving her handkerchief, until a bend of the road hid her -betrothed from view. Joining Ted, she touched her bay lightly with the -whip, and they trotted home without exchanging a word. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -The Fanatics - - -In spite of our hero's recent disgust he had quickly become reconciled -to the sweet girl who was to be his brother's wife. There was no -resisting her charms. He found her as full of fun and as fond of -adventure as any boy could wish, and he soon grew very anxious to win -her good opinion, even attempting to show off occasionally for her -benefit. Ethel had become no less attached to the honest, -healthy-minded, plucky lad, and wrote warningly to Jim that she had -fallen desperately in love with his jolly young brother. - -A few weeks had elapsed since Captain Russell's departure, when -something happened to attach them still more closely. One beautiful -winter day Ethel asked the ensign if he would care to stroll through the -native _bazar_ with her, and the lad willingly complied. - -Not being of a very curious disposition, he had hitherto neglected this -quarter of the town, and had spent most of his leisure time riding and -shooting in the country beyond. But on this occasion the girl was able -to make the visit much more interesting than he had anticipated. She -knew the people and more than one of the many dialects fairly well, and -she pointed out to her companion the men of various nationalities and -religions who swarmed in the narrow streets. He noticed with amazement -the difference between the strong fighting men of the North-west--the -sturdy Jat and stalwart Pathan--and the fat, mild, shrinking Babu from -Bengal, or the slender and weaker Hindu from the South. - -This part of the town was quite distinct from the quarter in which the -Europeans lived, and was much more picturesque, if also more dirty. In -the narrow streets all the goods of the small shops were exposed to the -passer-by. Workmen could be seen plying their trade, undisturbed by the -inquisitive glances of the lookers-on. And what clumsy tools they had! -It would have been impossible for such delicate, exquisite work to have -been turned out therewith, had not the artisans put their whole soul -into the labour: for to do his work thoroughly and beautifully is a -religious duty with the Hindu. - -Passing the stalls of the money-changers, fruit-sellers, and dealers in -native sweetmeats, their attention was attracted by certain curios in -one of the queer shops, and our ensign looked about for something worth -sending home. He fixed upon a queer silver bangle, set with turquoises. -The setting was uncommon, but the stones were only poor. The turbaned, -white-robed shopkeeper rose and came forward at once, salaaming -profoundly, and putting on one side the hubble-bubble he was smoking. -After a lengthy argument, in which Ted failed to understand the man's -rapid utterance, and his own Hindustani was beyond comprehension, Miss -Woodburn came to the rescue, fixed the price, and concluded the -business. - -Attracted by the sahib's curious rendering of their native tongue, a -number of the many idlers around had drawn near. At a corner of the -narrow street, not fifty paces distant, voices had been meanwhile raised -in earnest and violent harangue. Having learned even during his short -sojourn in the land how furious an altercation may arise over a matter -of a couple of annas, Ted had not paid much attention to the noise; but -now the speakers rose and came towards them. Foremost was a tall, -half-naked man, with long and flowing beard--a mass of dirt and evil -smells; for with these strange people cleanliness is not on speaking -terms with godliness, and the most holy men are the most filthy. His -eyes were inflamed, and his looks and gestures wild. Ethel, from her -longer experience, saw that the mullah had rendered himself mad with -bhang, and that two of his companions were in a similar condition. - -Pointing to the Feringhis, the mullah's voice rose to a wild shriek. - -"What do these offspring of the evil one here? O followers of the -Prophet, how long will ye allow yourselves to be denied by these kafirs. -The time is even now at hand when Allah shall no longer permit this: -then shall his wrath fall upon them, and they shall be swept from the -face of the earth. The hundred years of the white man's _raj_[2] are -fulfilled, and the curse shall be lifted from us!" - - [2] dominion. - -The fanatic's voice rose to a wild shriek as he concluded the harangue. -Ted could not follow the speech: he could only gather from the tone and -gestures that he and his companion were the objects of abuse, and he -guessed from the half-angry, half-cringing manner of the tradesman that -something serious was being said. Ethel, however, understood every word, -and was alarmed. - -They tried to leave the _bazar_, but found their progress barred. - -"Out of the way, there!" the ensign commanded, but no one moved. - -"Kill the kafir pigs!--there is no one to see!" called out a voice from -the rear. - -"No, no!" objected others hastily. "What harm have they done? And will -not the vengeance of the Whites be upon us all? Make way there for the -sahib-log!" - -But another of the bhang-drugged fanatics, who had been swaying to and -fro in his delirium, screamed: - -"Aye! Why not kill now?" and he roughly seized the white-faced girl. - -With a savage exclamation the English boy sprang forward and struck the -speaker behind the ear with all his force. Not for nothing had Edward -Russell been trained in gymnastics, in boxing and fencing--the fellow -dropped like a log. But before Ted could turn or draw his sword the -mullah had plucked a knife from beneath his scanty garment and plunged -it in the lad's side. - -"Die, unbeliever!" he cried. - -As the ensign pressed his hands to his side and dropped to the earth -with a feeble moan, the screaming and jabbering of the by-standers -ceased as if by magic. Even the mullah and his disciples drew back -appalled at what they had done, while the more timid of the crowd fled -to their homes in dread of the consequences and the sure wrath of the -sahibs, fearing lest vengeance should fall on innocent and guilty alike -for this murder of a white man. The merchants before whose shops the act -had been committed wrung their hands in despair, shrieking imprecations -down upon the heads of the fanatics, who stood gazing at their -handiwork. - -The mullah's hesitation lasted but a second. He turned towards the -trembling girl, and called to his abettors: - -"Finish off the lad while I slay the woman!" - -Ethel Woodburn was a soldier's daughter: she had more than once looked -danger in the face bravely and calmly. Had she been alone she might have -hesitated, or had her companion been in a condition to protect her she -might have relied on him. But, seeing the boy of whom she was so fond -stretched at her feet, cruelly wounded and helpless, and at the mercy of -these madmen, her instinct prompted her to do the right thing without a -moment's hesitation, and she blessed the father who had taught her to -carry and use a pistol. - -The little weapon was hardly more than a toy, but it checked the -assassins sufficiently to enable her to bend down swiftly and snatch -Ted's sword from its scabbard. The murderer was but a pace away when she -pulled the trigger and stepped back. He fell, writhing, the bullet in -his chest. The second received the point of the sword under his arm-pit -as he raised his hand to strike. The third assailant, dazed by the blow -from Ted's fist, had now risen, and was hesitating as to his next step, -when a couple of native police, attracted by the report and noise, ran -up, and, being Sikhs, they had no hesitation in securing the uninjured -Mohammedan, and they also prevented the crowd from carrying off the -wounded Wahabis.[3] - - [3] The most fanatical and implacable Moslem sect. - -Never losing her presence of mind, Ethel bound the unconscious lad's -wound to stop the bleeding, and ordered the by-standers to carry him to -his quarters, where the regimental surgeon attended to the injury. The -bangle had disappeared. - -A few weeks later, when the injured persons had recovered, the three -would-be assassins were tried on the charge of attempted murder, and -were sentenced to long terms of imprisonment. - -Some time elapsed before Ted was able to get about as usual. Had it not -been for the bandage so promptly applied by Ethel he must have bled to -death, so she had saved his life in two different ways. During his slow -and painful recovery he was nursed untiringly by his new sister; and -though she made light of her heroic deed, the girl's courage and -presence of mind were the chief themes of conversation with the -officers who frequently visited his bed-side, and the ensign's lucky -brother became more envied than ever. Ethel invariably checked his -expressions of gratitude, and would not allow him to talk about the -incident. - -"Bosh, Ted!" she would say; "I was in such a state of abject fear that I -didn't know what I was doing. I only shot the man because my hand -trembled so that the trigger went off, and he happened to be in front." - -"Certainly, Ethel, I quite understand. I'll just read you a letter I had -this morning from Jim. You'd p'r'aps like to hear his opinion?" - -"Oh, that boy's demented! I had a note also from him this morning. He's -quite wild." - -"Good chap Jim,--knows a thing or two!" said Ted, nodding his head -sagely. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -The Cad of the Regiment - - -"This is the place where I was knifed, Paterson," said Ted, "and there's -the old boy I had been bargaining with. Watch him eyeing me; he looks -rather scared, don't he?" - -The wound was now quite healed, and impelled doubtless by a magnetic -attraction, akin perhaps to that said to be exercised on murderers by -the scenes of their crimes, our ensign had induced his chum Paterson to -stroll with him through the _bazar_ one evening after duty was over for -the day. - -While Ted had been down with his wound Alec Paterson had opened out in a -remarkable manner and thrown down the last barriers of reserve. Ensign -Paterson had only recently admitted Ted into close friendship. He was a -Scottish lad, hailing from Lanarkshire, and no better choice of a friend -could have been made. Physically he was tall and well-formed, -intellectually he was ahead of most of his brother ensigns, and in moral -character strong, upright, and healthy. He was very reserved, difficult -to know, chary of his intimacy, and slow of speech. Tynan termed him a -"saint", and cordially disliked him; and in return Paterson disproved -the accusation of saintliness by being obnoxiously polite and somewhat -ponderously playful in his dealings with the regimental _bête noir_. - -"He does look scared," Alec replied. "He must think you were killed, and -that your ghost has come to jump down his throat or ride on his back, -or whatever it is that their evil spirits do. You had better speak and -reassure him." - -As Ted approached the stall, the hand of the sleek Hindu shot forth -across the boards on which his wares were displayed and snatched -something from the front row. Not, however, before our hero had -recognized the identical bangle that he had bought and paid for on the -occasion of his previous visit. His face flushed. - -"That is mine," he asserted. "I bought and paid for it." - -Understanding that the bangle had been seen, and that denial was -useless, the shopkeeper salaamed and unabashed replied: "Nay, sahib, the -one you bought you took away, and I have never set eyes on it since." - -"But you told me it was unique--that there was not another like it in -the country." - -"I am the sahib's slave, and I spoke truth. There was not another like -it in the Punjab. But since the Heaven-born's visit a Kazilbash merchant -from Kabul, with whom I deal in turquoises, has sold me this. It is -indeed similar to the one I sold the sahib, but the turquoises are -larger and better. Welcome is the sight of the Heaven-born in the eyes -of his servant, who has suffered great anxiety." - -"What's the row, Ted?" Paterson asked. And matters being explained, he -at once enquired of the Hindu why he had been so anxious to prevent the -bangle being seen if he had come by it honestly. But the "Aryan brown" -was more than their match in guile. - -"In truth I remembered how the former one had brought ill-luck to the -young sahib, and I feared lest he might take a fancy to this one also. -And I know that the sahibs are reckless in such matters, not believing -in omens. Rather would I lose business than bring misfortune upon the -head of the young sahib." - -Alec Paterson laughed. - -"I'm afraid it's no go, Russell," he whispered. "The rascal is too deep -for us, and we cannot prove that it really is the same article." - -"But it's robbery pure and simple!" Ted indignantly declared. "I know -it's the same that I lost during the scuffle." - -The shopkeeper regarded them gravely and sadly, as though he felt deeply -the doubts they had cast upon his honesty. He produced one article after -another, tempting them in vain to buy. At length, guessing that the boy -had set his heart upon the bangle, he offered him the pretty toy for -thirty rupees, assuring him that he had given twice that sum to the -Kazilbash. - -"I'll give you fifteen," said Ted, "and not an anna more." - -The Hindu shook his head. - -"I am poor man," said he, "else would I gladly beg the sahib to accept -it as a present." - -"Very well," Ted firmly rejoined. "Come along, Alec." - -They turned to go, but the Hindu hastily recalled them. - -"Nay," said he, "I had forgotten that the sahib had to suffer the loss -of the first one. For twenty rupees will I sell it, or, in truth, give -it away, rather than that the Heaven-born should be disappointed." - -"Fifteen," was all Ted's answer; and once more the bangle changed hands, -and the ensign left the shop. On the way to cantonments they overtook -Harry Tynan, the object of their mutual dislike, and were about to pass -with a nod as devoid of cordiality as decency would permit, when Tynan -spoke, or rather sneered: "Why, Russell, I thought you always took a -girl to protect you whenever you went into the _bazar_!" - -"Did you really now?" asked Ted banteringly. "Wasn't it an effort?" - -"What do you mean? Was what an effort?" - -"To think--so unusual, you know, for you." - -"Oh how clever you are! But how aren't you keeping an eye on Brother -Jim's future wife, according to instructions? I saw her this evening -flirting as usual with the Commissioner Sahib. You are not doing your -duty. Captain Russell 'ud be angry if he knew." - -"Come along, Russell; what's the use of talking to that cad?" whispered -Paterson. "Contemptible toad!" - -But his friend's ire had been aroused by the last remark. He halted and -faced Tynan. - -"What d'you mean?" he demanded. - -Tynan slowly drew a huge cheerot from his lips and attempted to blow -rings of smoke before replying. - -"You know well enough. Stunnin' little flirt is Ethel--deuced stunnin'! -Shouldn't be surprised if she threw Brother Jim over!" - -"What do you mean?" repeated Ted with still greater heat. - -"Don't be an ass, Ted. Leave the cad alone," Paterson again whispered. - -Tynan was Russell's senior by nearly a couple of years, and he stood a -clear three inches taller. Ted's anger amused him. - -"Why--don't you know?" he innocently enquired. "You see, our little -Ethel had been setting her cap at Sir Arthur Fletcher for months before -she saw your brother. But Arthur knows what's what, and the little -darling has had to put up with a mere captain of the Guides. But she -still hankers after the commissioner, and sighs for the handle to her -name." - -"Ye leein' hyæna!" Paterson burst out, his native dialect rising to the -surface in his excitement. "Keep a ceevil tongue in your heid, or I'll -knock ye down!" - -"No, you don't, Paterson," broke in Ted. "That's my business. You cad, -to lie like that about a girl you're not fit to speak to! Take that!" - -Our ensign struck his comrade across the face--a resounding smack with -the open palm. - -The fight was very short. Though tall enough, Tynan was weedy and unfit. -For several years he had considered himself a man of the world, and one -of the chief aims--if not _the_ chief--of his life had been to convince -his associates that he was well qualified for that dignified position, -and the attainment of this object had, of course, necessitated abundant -smoking and drinking. Wonderful to relate, no one had so far seemed -greatly impressed! - -Five minutes after the first blow, with bleeding nose and damaged eye, -the contemptible fellow was sullenly admitting that he had had enough. - -"Think it over the nicht," Paterson suggested. "If ye hev not I'll just -gie ye seemilar satisfaction. And I'd hev ye obsairve it wad be safer to -cam' oot wi' no mair lees o' that sort. Cam' awa', Russell!" - -"Wait a moment, I've not done yet," said Ted. "Let me inform you now, -you cad, what I would not waste my breath in telling you before--that -Miss Woodburn had refused Sir Arthur Fletcher before she became engaged -to my brother, and that he has congratulated my brother, and is a loyal, -honourable gentleman, of whose friendship Miss Woodburn is proud; and -don't let me hear you speaking of her again as you did just now." - -The chums left the miserable being--neither man nor boy--to follow as he -chose. - -"What garred ye say that last, Russell?" asked the Scottish lad, who was -still labouring under strong excitement, as soon as they had passed out -of hearing. - -"What? About Fletcher?" - -"Yea You'd no right to drag his refusal into the affair!" Paterson -dropped the tell-tale accent as he spoke more slowly. "That's between -him and Miss Woodburn, and he wouldn't thank you if he knew, nor would -she. It was perhaps very satisfying to you, but they don't need to be -defended from a fellow like our friend yonder." - -"I'm very sorry--I'm a fool! I was so angry I didn't stop to think. Bah! -he leaves a bad taste in the mouth, that fellow!" - -"We should have passed him without taking any notice," Paterson went on. -"But it served him right!" - -For the future Tynan gave his conqueror a wide berth, and Ted ignored -his existence as far as their respective duties, would permit. - -Returning from the officers' mess that evening, Ted was accosted by Pir -Baksh, the Mohammedan captain. - -"I saw you fight with Ensign Tynan," said he. "He is the kind of officer -to ruin a regiment. Once he dared to call me a _soor_ (pig) before my -men, and I thank you, sahib, for teaching him a lesson." - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -The Outbreak of the Mutiny - - -On the night of Monday, May 11, some weeks after Ted's recovery, Ethel's -twenty-first birthday was celebrated, Colonel Woodburn entertaining the -officers and British residents of Aurungpore. The season was too warm -for more than occasional dancing, and conversation was the order of the -night--conversation serious and frivolous, harmless flirtations between -the younger members, and solemn interchange of views concerning the -rumoured dissatisfaction prevailing amongst the native troops, a subject -pooh-poohed by some and laughed at by others, but gravely regarded by a -few--when an orderly entered and handed a missive to the colonel. As he -opened it and read he gave a start, and his face paled for one brief -second, but soon resumed its ordinary aspect as he slowly folded the -paper and placed it in his pocket. - -A few moments later he crossed over to Major Munro, who at once left the -room after speaking to the adjutant and another officer. These two also -took their departure before long, and one by one the remainder of the -officers were spoken to and retired to their mess-room, where they were -shortly joined by Colonel Woodburn. - -"I have terrible news," he informed them, "but we must try to avoid -alarming either the ladies or the sepoys. The 3rd Native Cavalry and the -11th and 20th Native Infantry have broken into mutiny at Meerut, killed -some of their officers, and, so the message runs, are sacking the town -and murdering right and left." - -"At Meerut!" gasped Major Munro. "How at Meerut of all places? They -couldn't--it's simply impossible!" - -"It must be true," declared the colonel, "though it certainly does seem -impossible. One would think they would have broken out at Cawnpore, or -Benares, or Allahabad, or here, or anywhere rather than Meerut. But this -report must be exaggerated! How could they sack the town and murder in -the face of those English regiments and the Artillery? It's -incomprehensible!" - -Now even Ensign Russell, a mere griffin, knew that Meerut--a large -station more than fifty miles north-east of Delhi--was considered a -model cantonment, and contained the strongest British force in all -India. Could a revolt seem more hopeless than at this station, where the -three native corps were more than counterbalanced by a regiment of -British dragoons, the 60th Rifles, and two batteries of the finest -artillery in the world--a force sufficient to repress any rising within -ten minutes--whereas throughout the seven hundred and fifty miles of -territory along the Ganges, in the districts containing the large towns -of Agra, Allahabad, Benares, Cawnpore, Lucknow, and Patna, there were -only three weak British corps to oppose nearly a score of sepoy -regiments and many thousands of armed rebels? - -"There's no saying how it will spread," continued the colonel. "We must -take all precautions, though I believe our men are perfectly -trustworthy. There must be some mistake, and I've no doubt that we shall -hear to-morrow that the rebels have been cut to pieces. I'm afraid the -silly fellows will be slaughtered by hundreds." - -But the news of the morning and of the succeeding days was no less hard -to understand. Eighty-five men of the 3rd Native Cavalry (a corps -composed of Hindus and Mohammedans) had refused to use the cartridges -served out, alleging that the fat of pigs and of cows had been employed -in the manufacture. - -As most readers will know, the pig is regarded as unclean by all -Moslems, and the cow is holy to Hindus, so that to touch the fat of -these animals would imperil their salvation and shut them out of -Paradise. The mullahs and fakirs had been poisoning the minds of the -soldiers by asserting that the government was taking this means of -uprooting their religion and converting them to Christianity by -destroying their chance of salvation as Moslems or Hindus. If they had -no future to which to look forward as Mussulmans or Brahmans, they would -be the more ready to listen to the Christian doctrine which might give -them some hope. - -Unfortunately there is reason to believe that some foundation for the -rumour existed, owing to carelessness on the part of those responsible -for the manufacture, and to senseless, most blamable, disregard of the -sepoy's religious susceptibilities. But these few unclean cartridges had -been withdrawn, and those which the men were required to use contained -no offensive grease, but merely oil and bees'-wax. The childish, -credulous, superstitious sepoys were, however, only too ready to believe -all idle tales: they accepted the statements of the fakirs, that by -means of charms and witchcraft the English would transform them into -animals; that their children would be born with tails like monkeys, and -other stories equally absurd. - -The sepoys were now in such a panic of fear lest their precious caste -should be defiled, that they began to suspect some attempt to destroy -this inheritance (without which life was not worth living) in everything -prepared for them by the government. The new cartridge-paper had a -glazed, greasy appearance. This was enough! Here was another subtle -attempt to make them Christians! In this fashion they argued and -persuaded one another like foolish children, though in reality the paper -was entirely free from fat. - -Many years before this a report had spread throughout Hindustan that the -English rulers were collecting the salt (a very precious commodity in -the East) into two heaps: over that intended for the use of the -Mohammedans the blood of pigs was sprinkled, and over the other the -blood of cows. This "salt" panic had occurred many years ago, but now in -1857 an equally incredible story was believed by hundreds of thousands, -namely, that the government had caused the bones of bullocks and of pigs -to be ground and mixed with the flour served out to the troops. For days -following the rumour no flour was used, the sepoys preferring to starve -rather than eat what they believed to be defiled food. - -But these matters of the greased cartridges and bone-flour were by no -means the only cause of the great mutiny: they were simply the pretexts -for bringing matters to a head. The sepoys had been treated in widely -different ways at various times, being now spoiled and petted, and now -dealt with haughtily and occasionally unjustly. When first the native -army was raised the men were allowed to dress after their own fashion, -but early in the nineteenth century many changes had been initiated, and -the soldiers began to be clothed and drilled according to the European -model. - -They were forbidden to wear the cherished caste-marks on their -foreheads; the ear-rings to which they were fondly attached, and which -the Moslems regarded as a charm against evil spirits, were no longer -permitted; they were deprived of the beards of which they had been so -proud, and were forced to shave their chins like the "unclean" -Englishmen; and upon their head the national turban was replaced by a -stiff round cap. Now, not only are hats and caps the outward and -visible signs of Christianity (for Christians are known as -_topi-wallahs_, or hat-wearers), but this uniform cap contained leather -made either from the hide of the abominable hog or from that of the -sacred cow. Thus the new head-dress was an offence to Moslems and Hindus -alike. - -A further cause of discontent arose from the decline in the importance -of the native officer. In the early years of the British-Indian army the -native officer had been a great and important man, but at this period -his standing had declined. The English officer of sixteen had authority -over the grizzled Rajput captain who had served the Company for thirty -years. The native officers were not saluted by British privates, and -frequently when they visited the tents of their white brother-officers, -the latter had not the courtesy to offer them chairs, regarding them, -indeed, as in no way different from the common sepoy. The native -officers grumbled to one another in indignant tones over these -grievances. - -"It is better," they said, "to serve in the armies of the native states, -where elephants and palanquins and sumptuous tents are provided for the -officers, than in the army of 'The Great Lord Company', in which we are -compelled to live with the common sepoy when on the line of march." - -Again, most of the Hindus had enlisted on the understanding that they -were to serve in Hindustan only and not across the sea. Now to cross -"The Black Water" is likewise a defilement forbidden to Brahmans, and -great dissatisfaction had been caused a few years previously because -certain regiments had been ordered to Burma; and during this campaign -the Brahmans had been compelled to work as labourers in the construction -of barracks. The British soldiers had fallen to with a will, as had the -low-caste Madras sepoys, but the men from Bengal demanded to know -whether Brahmans and Rajputs were mere coolies that they should so -defile themselves. - -In addition to the above causes of disquietude, the King of Delhi--a -quiet old gentleman who dabbled in poetry--had been recently deprived of -certain privileges. This monarch was the descendant of the great Mogul -emperors, whose sway had been acknowledged by far more kings, princes, -and nations than that of any European sovereign. - -Yet the heir to this magnificence was now merely the pensioner of a -company of merchants; though permitted to dwell in an enormous -palace--almost a town in itself--with the empty title of king, he -possessed no real power and no authority. This fact rankled in the minds -of all Mohammedans. In one important respect, however, the Company had -deferred to the king's wishes. He had begged that none of their troops -should be quartered in the imperial city, so that he might at least make -pretence to be the real master thereof. The request was granted, and -with the exception of a handful of men to guard the great Delhi arsenal, -neither sepoys nor British soldiers were stationed in the town, but, -instead, had their cantonments on the destined-to-be-famous ridge -outside. - -Then, again, the great province of Oudh had been recently annexed, and -certain privileges had been taken not only from the king thereof, but -from the large landholders; and though in the course of time these -changes would undoubtedly work for the good of the majority, still they -pressed heavily on a certain class; and the poorer people, for whose -benefit the changes were made, could not understand, and therefore -disliked them. The King of Oudh, like his master the Emperor of Delhi, -was a Mohammedan. - -There was also a Mahratta rajah, known as Nana Sahib, who had many -grievances against the English. The Mahrattas were a powerful Hindu -confederacy that had overawed even the Grand Moguls until Wellesley and -Lake had broken their power. - -Trouble had arisen in many corps over the question of pay. For services -outside India the sepoys were paid more than in Hindustan itself. After -the annexation of the Punjab in 1849 this extra pay was dropped for -regiments serving in the province, and the sepoys could not understand -how, if the Punjab was not in Hindustan when they entered, it could -become part of Hindustan because the government chose to term it so. -They argued that even if the Punjab had become merged in the Indian -Empire, it was still a foreign country in their eyes; that they were -still serving away from their native land, and were therefore entitled -to extra pay. Some regiments had accordingly refused to obey orders. - -The Brahman priests thereupon warned the Indian Government that if they -(the priests) chose to forbid Hindus to enlist, the British would have -to make shift without a sepoy army. This threat rather frightened "John -Company", but not Sir Charles Napier, the commander-in-chief at the -period. He promptly took matters into his own hands, and disbanding the -66th Native Infantry, which had refused to obey orders, he gave their -title and colours to the Nasiri Gurkha Battalion, who thereupon became -the 66th Infantry of the Line. - -This step scared the Brahmans, for they saw that if the government was -minded to fill their places with Gurkhas, those intrepid little -mountaineers would be only too delighted to enlist in the regular army -instead of in irregular battalions with less pay, as at present. The -occupation of the Brahman sepoys would then be gone, at least to a -larger extent than they desired. - -Now, in India the status of a soldier is a most honourable one, and the -army is not mainly recruited from the lower classes, as in England, but -from the most respectable natives of the middle and higher ranks of -life; and families consider it a great privilege to have a son in the -army, even as a private. Judged by Indian standards the pay is very -good, and the pension will keep a family in ease and comfort. The -British soldier often enlists because he has no taste for settled -employment, or because he has been tempted by coloured placards setting -forth "the advantages of the army", or has been attracted by the ribbons -of the recruiting-sergeant. Perchance he has been jilted by his -sweetheart, or done something of which he is ashamed, and so has run -away from home. Often he has taken another name, and has lost sight and -touch of the parents at home. - -But the sepoy, as soon as his name is on the regimental roll, becomes -the pride and prop of his house. He visits home regularly and is -regarded as a great man in his village, and his family comes under the -special protection of the state. Many families boasted that they had -eaten the salt of "The Great Lord Company" from generation to -generation. The sepoys usually had a real pride in their colours; they -rejoiced in the honourable and well-paid service that was sought by the -very flower of the people, by the highest castes in Bengal. - -Napier's prompt action checked the spread of revolt, but dissatisfaction -still rankled in the sepoys' breasts. In 1857 each injustice was -recalled to mind, and thousands of the mutineers honestly believed that -they had been very badly treated. - -A further incitement to revolt was this. The Moslems cherished a -prophecy that India would be ruled by the Feringhis for exactly one -hundred years, after which the Mogul Empire would resume its sway. The -year 1857 was just a century after Plassey. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -Weighed in the Balance - - -The principal causes of the great mutiny having now been explained, let -us go back to Meerut and its eighty-five mutineers. These men were -sentenced to long terms of imprisonment, and in the presence of the -sepoy regiments the fetters were placed upon their limbs. The sight of -the degradation angered and alarmed their comrades, and rumours spread -through the town to the effect that all the black soldiers were to be -disgraced in the same way, and at this date no report was too ridiculous -for the sepoys. - -On the Sunday evening, 10th May, the 60th Rifles assembled for church -parade. At once the rumour flew round that the white soldiers were -preparing to fall upon their brown comrades, and the absurd tale gained -ready credence. The sepoys were taunted by the women of the town, were -called cowards for permitting their comrades to suffer disgrace; and no -sooner had the Rifles marched off to church than the native troops lost -all control of themselves, broke open the jail, set their eighty-five -comrades free, and, encouraged by the convicts, they began to fire on -the white residents. - -All the _budmashes_ of Meerut joining in, pandemonium ensued. Houses -were broken into and set on fire; Englishmen and women were brutally -murdered. Yet whilst this was going on in one part of the town, in -another quarter the sepoys of the same regiments were saluting their -officers and guarding the Treasury as usual. - -Back came the 60th Rifles from church and quickly reassembled with arms -and ammunition, but by this time the mutineers were on the road to -Delhi. Though the British dragoons were at once ordered out, their -commanding officer could not grasp the need for prompt punishment. He -allowed the roll to be called in the ordinary way, wasting precious -moments, whilst the rebel sepoys were hastening nearer and nearer to the -imperial city. - -Night fell quickly, and as the general commanding did not know which way -the rebels had fled, he did not order pursuit, arguing that the troops -must remain behind to protect the residents of Meerut from the thousands -of _budmashes_ and escaped jail-birds. - -Had the dragoons at Meerut been ordered down the road to Delhi (for the -general might easily have guessed that the rebels would take that -direction), the 60th Rifles and the Artillery were strong enough to have -swept all the _budmashes_ in Meerut out of existence; and the dragoons -would certainly have overtaken and destroyed the two foot regiments, and -might have come up with the 3rd Native Cavalry. In the face of the -British horsemen the populace of Delhi would not have dared to -sympathize with the mutineers; the revolt would perhaps have died out, -and the terrible massacres of Delhi, Cawnpore, and other places might -never have occurred. But it is easy to be wise after the event, and the -general commanding at Meerut, though a brave man, was not a far-seeing -one. He was content to save and defend his own station, failing to -recognize that a spark kindled in Delhi, the real capital of India, -would set the whole land ablaze. As it was, the mutineers, scared out of -their wits by the fear of a terrible retribution, hearing in their -frightened imaginations the thundering of the dragoons behind them, got -safely into Delhi and attempted to rouse that city against the -Feringhis. But the people of Delhi said one to another: - -"No! The English will be here presently with their terrible horsemen and -still more terrible artillery. Let us take no part in this!" - -But not a British soldier was in sight next day from the city walls, and -the rumour soon gained ground that all the white troops in Meerut had -been slain, and that Allah had taken from them their vigour and their -courage. "The Feringhis are _lachar_[4]!" was the cry. - - [4] helpless. - -And the populace and the sepoys around Delhi joined their brethren from -Meerut, proclaiming Bahadur Shah, the old gentleman poet, "Emperor of -all India"; they massacred the fifty English men and women in the city, -and before many days had passed most of the regiments throughout Bengal -and the Punjab were on the brink of mutiny, hesitating to take the -plunge. Had there been at Meerut on that fatal Sunday a Lawrence or an -Edwardes, a Cotton, Nicholson, or Neill, the revolt might have been -crushed with one decisive blow. - -So the news brought to our friends at Aurungpore was too true. Through -the whole land, from Peshawur to Calcutta, spread the black terror, and -though most officers of sepoy regiments trusted their own particular -corps, each feared lest other regiments should throw off their -allegiance and murder without remorse not only the officers, but the -Christian women and children of the towns. - -The colonel and officers of the 193rd never doubted that their beloved -regiment would prove true to its salt, for the most friendly feeling -existed between officers and men. Some of the former had more than once -risked their lives for their men, and in return several of the sepoys -had rescued their officers from situations of great peril by their -pluck and devotion. - -Terrible as were many of the acts committed by the mutineers, we must -not consider them as so many fiends in the shape of men, nor must we -believe that their delight was to shed human blood. In 1857 the sepoy -was a madman inflamed with rage and bitter hatred against those whom he -mistakenly considered his oppressors; and many who suffered most from -his fury were in truth his best friends and well-wishers. - -Most inconsistent were his actions, and his character was a mass of -contradictions. He was simple and credulous as a child, and at the same -time crafty and designing; his cruelty was frequently evident, and never -more so than in this terrible year, yet as a rule he was gentle and -kindly. It was no uncommon sight for the hardened sepoy warrior to be -found watching beside his English officer's sick-bed, and no woman could -be a more gentle nurse; he was devoted to his sahib's children, and -loved to make them happy. Generally he was languid and indolent, yet -capable of being roused to passionate energy; at times light-hearted and -cheerful, at times depressed and given to brooding over his wrongs, both -real and fancied. Mutinies had not been unknown before the year 1857, -but on previous occasions the outbreaks had resembled the naughtiness of -a child, and like a child the sepoy usually injured himself more than -others. - -Though no condemnation of those who participated in the murdering of -women and children can be too severe, yet we must not paint the sepoy in -colours too black. Let us try to put ourselves in his place, and see -what it meant. Suppose that he honestly believed that the English were -seeking his destruction, can we not imagine his despair and panic? Many -of the mutineers, however, believed the explanations of their English -officers, and felt assured that the cartridge-paper contained no -offensive matter, and these men tried to put everything right. And what -was the result? Their comrades believed that these sensible sepoys had -sold themselves to the Feringhis; they were taunted and jeered at as -Christians; they became outcasts, and none would eat with them. Not only -did their fellow-soldiers shun them, but also their parents and brethren -and the people of the village who used to crowd round and bow before -them when they visited their homes. They all refused friendship and -connection with the outcasts; the letters written home were never -answered, and no wonder that these well-meaning fellows were -terror-stricken at the thought of their shameful position, and cursed -the English and their unclean ways that had brought this to pass. - -Three days after the Meerut revolt Colonel Woodburn addressed his men on -the subject of the crisis. Assuring them of the mighty power of England, -and of the terrible punishment that would be meted out to rebels, he -reminded them of their glorious regimental history, and asked if they -would willingly tarnish their good name. Ted's heart glowed as he -listened to the stirring speech, and the men broke into a shout of -enthusiasm, cheered their colonel, and Pir Baksh, stepping forward, -expressed their willingness to march against the mutineers. At mess the -officers congratulated one another, overjoyed at the splendid spirit -animating those under their command. - -With renewed courage and in the highest spirits they buckled on their -swords for the next morning's parade. - -"I hope we shall get orders to march against the mutineers," Ted -confided to Paterson as they walked towards the parade-ground in front -of the arsenal. - -"And what would happen to our countrymen and country-women at -Aurungpore if the regiment left?" his chum asked with a laugh. "Would -you make the rebels a gift of the fort and arsenal?" - -Ted was crestfallen. - -"Oh! I'd forgotten them," he replied. "Still, half the regiment would be -enough to defend the town. I'm jolly glad our men are showing such a -good spirit, but I'm afraid for Jim and Spencer. I don't suppose their -Guides are likely to remain loyal very long." - -"I've been thinking of them all morning," Alec observed musingly, "and -of all Spencer was telling us the night he was here. I don't think -there's much doubt but that those fellows will sell themselves to the -highest bidder, and he will be the emperor at Delhi. They may pull -through all right though, if they are within reach of Nicholson. He and -Edwardes will be towers of strength along the frontier." - -"Don't it make you mad to think of the way they bungled it at Meerut? -Whoever was responsible for such a fiasco ought to be kicked out of the -army." - -"Now, Ted Russell, you know nothing about it," the cautious Scot -reproachfully asserted. "It's very easy to say afterwards what ought to -have been done, but we don't know all the circumstances. Here's the -colonel. He's a fine-looking man, and no wonder the sepoys are proud of -him." - -The companies were called to attention, numbered, and wheeled into line. -Before the wheel was completed a sepoy suddenly levelled his musket and -pulled the trigger. Two officers at once rushed towards the would-be -assassin, but were met by the fire of some twenty men of the same -company, and fell riddled with bullets. - -One-half of the sepoys stood irresolute--some fingering their triggers -menacingly; others, taken by surprise, screamed, "No, no, we must not -slay our officers!" - -"Nay, slay them all!" roared a subadar, "whether we love them or not! If -we do not kill them they will persuade us against our will!" - -And a shrill clamour approved the advice. - -Still five hundred men hesitated. Some of the waverers shouted to the -Englishmen, urging them to run. It was as though they had been bitten by -a mad dog, and, while yet sane, knowing that the poison was working in -their veins, they wished to save bloodshed before the madness should -overpower them and render them pitiless. - -Almost broken-hearted by this proof that his trusted regiment had -mutined, Colonel Woodburn lifted up his voice in a last appeal to their -loyalty. Before he had spoken a dozen words, Pir Baksh--dreading lest -the colonel's influence should wreck his plans, even when success seemed -assured--stepped behind a crowd of gesticulating sepoys and took -deliberate aim. - -Colonel Woodburn fell from his horse grievously wounded, and Ted and one -of the subalterns dashed forward to convey him to a place of safety. -Captain Markham placed himself at the head of his own hundred men and -appealed to them, for the sake of all they had gone through together, to -remain loyal and true. His company, composed of Hindustanis--mostly -Rajputs--stood silent and puzzled, undecided how to act, when shots from -some Mohammedans of the flank company answered his appeal, and the -well-loved captain fell. - -There was no longer any indecision among Markham's Rajputs. Pity for the -murdered officer who had done so much for them, anger that he should be -shot by the Moslems whom they did not love, these feelings turned the -scale. Hastily closing round their captain they guarded his body and -menaced the mutineers. The remaining officers, seeing one faithful -company, placed themselves at its head, and called on the other Hindus -to remain loyal and fight the Mussulmans. But the madness had worked by -now: all the rest cast in their lot with the murderers, and, firing a -few shots at Englishmen and faithful sepoys, whom they dared not charge, -so great was still the influence of the officers, they rushed off to -loot the town and shops. - -Including Markham, three officers were killed and two badly wounded, two -of the slain being brother ensigns of Ted--poor little "griffins", who -had been out but a few months. - -Then swift as lightning came the thought, "What of the women and -children and civilians?" The appearance of the revolted sepoys would be -the signal for all the _budmashes_ of the _bazar_ to join in the rioting -and murder. - -A noise of firing and a babel of fiendish yells from the English quarter -of the town, in close proximity to the fort, told their own tale. The -white residents were being attacked! - -"Lieutenant Lowthian," commanded the major, "remain here with Ensigns -Tynan and Russell and about twenty men! We'll take our wounded with us, -the women will attend to them; and when we've cleared the streets we'll -bring the civilians into the fort." - -Exhorting the faithful Rajputs to remain true to their salt and so win -eternal fame, the major ordered bayonets to be fixed, and headed the -charge down the street, the wounded with their guard bringing up the -rear. - -A disorderly crowd of sepoys and riff-raff of the town had assembled in -front of the large house of Sir Arthur Fletcher, the Commissioner of the -district. The windows were being fired into and the doors battered down, -in spite of a determined resistance from the inmates. Into the crowd -charged the loyal sepoys. Firing a single volley at close quarters they -at once let the rioters taste cold steel, and beneath the gallant -major's sword fell more than one of the ringleaders. - -Major Munro was known as one of the strongest officers and best -swordsmen in the army, and the mob gave back before his flashing steel -and the glistening bayonets of his followers. But as the sepoys -recoiled, a number of Wahabis, showering curses upon the faint-hearted, -poured with knives and swords down upon the little band. The leader was -all but lost. Separating him from his men, half a dozen fanatics set on -him at once, yelling triumphantly. But the two who first came within -reach of that mighty arm quickly lay in the dust; the third received the -point in his heart, and a fourth was cloven almost in twain. - -Aghast at the fate of their comrades the others faltered. But Munro did -not wait to be attacked; stepping over the prostrate bodies he followed -up the advantage gained, and the pandies shrank from that fatal sword. -Joining forces once more, the sturdy band reached the house, and, -standing with backs to the wall, they poured volley after -volley--irregularly, but coolly and rapidly--into the dense, -disorganized rabble, until at length the barricades were taken from the -door, and one by one they were admitted. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -The Fight in the Arsenal - - -"They are having a hard fight for it," Ted observed to Lieutenant -Lowthian. They stood on the walls that surrounded the courtyard of the -fort, watching the progress of their comrades through the crowded -streets. Lowthian nodded, but, absorbed by the struggle, made no reply. - -"Yes, and they've left us here to be killed like rabbits," muttered -Tynan. - -"Shut up! Don't whine!" Lowthian scornfully exhorted him. - -Ted's anxiety had so far been largely centred in the safety of Ethel -Woodburn, the charge placed under his protection; and having rightly -guessed that the Commissioner's house, surrounded by the clamouring mob, -through whose masses Munro was breaking his way, contained the Europeans -of Aurungpore, a load was lifted from his mind. The rebels had quitted -the immediate vicinity of the fort, and the comparative tranquillity -close at hand had made him forget his own danger. Tynan's remark and -Lowthian's curtness startled him. - -"They won't be long in escorting the women here," he cheerfully opined. -"And a hundred of us ought to hold this place easily." - -"Yes, but twenty cannot," Tynan sneered. "If it's as much as Munro can -do to force his way through now, how's he going to manage it with a -crowd of women to protect?" - -Tynan had gauged the situation more correctly than Ted. Reckoning -overmuch on the prestige of British arms, Munro had calculated that the -removal of the civilians to the fort would be an easy matter. Most of -the disloyal sepoys had disappeared, having scattered in order to loot -the shops and the European bungalows. They were now returning by twos -and threes, some laden with plunder, others savage and sullen through -disappointment, having found the bungalows deserted and the coveted -jewels and money saved from their clutches. - -"Here comes that scoundrel Pir Baksh," said Lowthian as the Moslem -subadar appeared on the scene. He began to shout some commands -unintelligible to the watchers on the walls, and soon succeeded in -forming the scattered groups into a dense throng. - -"I always detested that fellow," Lowthian continued, "and I believe he's -at the bottom of this dastardly business." - -"He's got Miss Woodburn's horse too!" Ted cried in an excited voice, as -he recognized the bay. "Look! he's pointing towards the fort It's our -turn now!" - -Pir Baksh was haranguing the sepoys, gesticulating wildly, first towards -the strong white building in which the Europeans had taken shelter, and -then in the direction of the frowning fortress whose guns commanded -Aurungpore, and the air was filled with shouts of "Din, Din, Allah -Akbar!"[5] - - [5] "The Faith," or "For our Faith, God is Great." - -"They're coming at us," Tynan whispered. There was no need to whisper, -for the fact was only too evident. The impressive nature of the peril -had made him unconsciously lower his voice. - -"Are the guns loaded?" he added, nodding towards the half-dozen cannon, -whose grim black muzzles stared through the embrasures. - -"No, and it would take us an hour to load them," Lowthian replied. - -As a measure of precaution, all munitions for the cannon had been stored -within the arsenal. - -The Rajputs on the bastions that flanked the main gate began to fire -wildly as the rebels approached within range. - -"Steady, men, steady!" the commandant ordered. "Each cover his man -before he fires! That's the way! Well aimed, Ambar Singh!" - -The loyal sepoys had pulled themselves together, and there was no -further waste of ammunition. Rebel after rebel rolled over in the dust -or limped into cover, and the rush was checked. The assailants slowly -backed away from the walls, each man trying to dodge behind his -neighbour to keep a shield before him as he took aim. Ted looked for Pir -Baksh, but that astute pandy, having no intention of exposing himself so -prominently on horseback, had dismounted, and was lost amid the mob. - -At last the ensign marked his quarry. For a second's space the -ringleader had come into view to urge his reluctant hordes to the -assault. Hastily covering him, Ted pulled the trigger. A rebel fell, but -it was not Pir Baksh. Like the coward he was, he had skipped into safety -behind a group of sepoys, and now the front ranks of the mutineers had -pressed back upon the rearmost until all were beyond effective range. -Brown Bess could not be trusted to carry far. - -"If there is one of the curs I should like to kill it's that traitor Pir -Baksh!" Tynan declared with an oath. "I hope I'll live to see him -hanged! It was he who shot the colonel; I saw him." - -"Are you sure of that?" Lowthian and Ted both asked. - -"As sure as that I am here.----What are they up to now?" - -Baffled for a moment, the subadar had abandoned the idea of a direct -assault, and was seen to be exhorting the men to some new method of -attack, for the pandies presently dispersed right and left. A hot fire -was still kept up through the windows of Fletcher's house. Lowthian -quietly gave an order. - -"Tynan, take eight men to the southern bastion, and don't show -yourselves until you can strike home. Dal Singh, you keep watch from the -north-west tower, and give the alarm if they gather in that direction." - -A number of the sepoys were reassembling at the top of the main street -where it debouched into the open space facing the main gate. Ted and -Lowthian exchanged a meaning look as they perceived that some had -brought short ladders and were busily lashing them together. - -"If they've any grit they'll soon be over the walls," the senior -whispered. "Ha! they mean to attack Tynan's post first." - -Under the impression that the garrison was too weak to be distributed, -some hundred rebels with a ladder made a dash for the southern wall of -the courtyard, keeping out of range from the main gate as they ran. They -were within twenty paces when Tynan opened fire. Still they kept on, and -planted the ladder against the wall. A second volley rang out, and the -pandies hesitated, for the fire had been concentrated on the -ladder-bearers, and those who were nearest to them edged farther away, -pressing against the walls. They reasoned that it was death to touch the -ladder, and many of their comrades were already dead. But by now another -rush had been made for the main gate, and though a dozen fell in the -assault, the sepoys were more in earnest and they thirsted for revenge. -Two of the Rajputs were knocked over, and Pir Baksh yelled gleefully as -he planted a bullet in Lowthian's shoulder. - -Still the fort was not yet won. Encouraged by the resolute bearing of -their officers, the loyal men continued to fire coolly and rapidly; and -the mutineers lacked the inspiration of a leader ready to sacrifice -himself for their cause. They again retired out of range, and the cheer -raised by the Rajputs at the main gate was echoed back by Tynan's men. - -That cheer was ill-timed. Hardly had it died away before an answering -yell from the north, savage as a war-whoop, chilled the blood in their -veins, for it came from inside the courtyard! A scaling-party had made -the circuit, and were already beneath the north-western bastion when Dal -Singh reached his post. He looked forth, and before he could give the -alarm a bullet struck him in the forehead, the single distant report -passing unnoticed amid the noise of battle. - -"Inside the fort, lads!" Lowthian shouted. "All together!" - -The garrison hastily descended, and, joining forces, charged across the -courtyard to escape being cut off. But the rebels were the nearer, and -should even one or two of them enter first and bar the door, the -garrison was lost. In ten minutes there would be a couple of hundred -sepoys inside the courtyard. - -One rebel was almost in. Ted stopped, flung his musket to his shoulder, -and the man toppled over. Four more pandies were close upon his heels. -As the leader fell, the hindmost of these, dreading the same fate, -looked back over his shoulder. A trifling incident, yet that glance cost -him dear, and was worth untold gold to the white-faces in Aurungpore. -For as the fellow turned he unconsciously checked his pace, and a lean -Rajput, straining every nerve, closed with the faint-hearted traitor -before the entrance could be gained. A bayonet-thrust, a scream, and the -wretch staggered forward and fell upon his face. - -But the other three were inside, and so was Karan Singh the Rajput, -alone with his back to the door, cut off from his comrades. A barrier of -some thirty exultant rebels had thrust themselves in front, and ladders -were even now being set up against the walls by the main gate. If the -thirty pandies could keep the loyalists at bay for another five minutes -they would all be butchered like goats at the Dashera Festival. Then -came the clang of steel, as bayonet crossed bayonet; the three officers -emptied and reloaded their pistols, and a yard or two was gained. - -Suddenly Ted dodged to the right, and darted at full speed round the -pack of sepoys, as a three-quarter back, smartly fed by the half who has -picked up the ball from beneath the feet of the scrummagers, circles -round his opponents before they know what has happened. He had caught a -glimpse of the plucky Karan Singh maintaining the unequal combat, and -the Rajput was sore wounded though one of the pandies had fallen to his -bayonet. - -While still a few strides from the doorway, Ted Russell witnessed the -death of the Hindu hero. As one sepoy kept Karan Singh at bay the other -managed to reload and let fly, the muzzle barely a foot from the -Rajput's breast. The brave man dropped like a log, and his body fell -across the threshold. Though they hastily thrust the corpse aside, Ted -was upon them before the heavy door could be closed. - -The enemy had not dared to pursue the ensign, fearing to turn their -backs lest the British should be let in. His pistol was empty and his -musket had been cast aside. One of the sepoys lunged. Ted skipped aside, -and, turning on his heel, struck wildly at the other's bayonet that was -darting towards his chest. The weapon was turned aside, but though his -tunic alone was ripped and he himself was untouched, his cherished sword -had broken off at the hilt, and he was disarmed. - -For the fraction of a second he stood helpless. So lightning-like is -thought, that he had time to long for a kick at the slovenly workman who -had turned out a weapon as untrustworthy as himself. - -"Quick! Close the door, Bakir Khan, while I slay the whelp!" - -Ted swerved, grasped the speaker's musket-barrel with his left, and with -his right hammered the face of the bewildered sepoy, who howled, but -held on to the weapon. The iron-clamped door slammed and the heavy bolts -groaned as Bakir Khan shot them home and turned to assist his comrade. -Ted tugged at the musket with all his strength, and suddenly saw at his -feet the firearm of the dead pandy. He swooped down, seized the weapon, -and jumped backwards just in time, as the bayonet-point flashed -harmlessly in front. - -A loud pounding of musket-stocks upon the door announced that Lowthian's -handful had broken through, or else had all been slain. For an instant -the sound stayed the fight inside. Was he alone left after all? Or did -it mean that, could he open the door before numbers overwhelmed them, -they might all be saved? Hope lent him strength. There was no bayonet to -his new weapon, so he gripped it by the muzzle, and, swinging it above -his head, he knocked the Brown Bess out of Bakir Khan's hand as that -false sepoy made a second lunge. Again he brought the butt-end down, -this time with a thud upon the head of Bakir Khan. The second pandy -recoiled, still half-dazed by the blows from Ted's sword-hilt. There was -no way of escape for him, however, and he sprang like a tiger-cat at the -ensign. A third time the musket was swung aloft, and the sepoy reeled -and toppled over, stunned. - -Ted sprang to the door, and had drawn one of the bolts when a wild fear -took hold of him. Who were on the other side? In all probability they -were rebels thirsting for English blood, and why should he let them in? -Through the thick door he seemed to see them, pitiless as famished -wolves. Why not hide in the vast arsenal and slip out at night? - -In less than a second such thoughts had flashed through his mind before -he recollected that duty bade him take the risk. The last bolt was shot -back; he sprang aside, ready for a charge as the door swung back, and -gave a gasp of relief as Tynan and his Rajputs dashed inside. - -At their heels came the rebels, and a few got through before Ted and -Ambar Singh could close and bar the door. The fight inside the passage -was soon over, and the Rajputs sank upon the floor and gasped for -breath. - -Barely five minutes had sped since Karan Singh's body had fallen across -the threshold, yet it seemed many hours. Ted could hardly realize that -the main body of assailants under Pir Baksh had only just succeeded in -storming the walls (for they had hesitated, fearing a trap) as he -cracked the skull of Bakir Khan. Had that fourth sepoy not looked back -the arsenal would have been lost. - -"Lowthian's done for, I'm afraid!" panted Tynan. - -Following his gaze, Ted saw that the Rajputs had brought their -commandant in. He knelt down by the side of his friend and found Tynan's -surmise only too true, for Lieutenant Lowthian had already breathed his -last. - -"Shot just as we reached the doorway," Tynan explained; "and half a -dozen men killed or badly wounded. What must we do, Russell? They can't -get in except through that door, can they?" - -"It won't take long to batter the door down if they shape," Ted replied. -"Luckily we've heaps of ammunition here, and any number of muskets. -Look, this room off the passage commands the door, so set two or three -men to bring up firearms and we'll load a few dozen." - -Before Ted had finished speaking, the spirited Rajputs were emptying -their muskets through the narrow slits that loop-holed the thick walls, -and the rebels who had been clustering round the door, vainly attempting -to batter it down, left the spot in a hurry--at least all did who were -able. Ted then posted a couple of men to watch the north-western face of -the building and give the alarm if necessary. Blood had been flowing -freely down the ensign's face, and he now found time to staunch it. He -was not sure when he had received the wound, but at some time or other -during the struggle in the passage a bayonet-point had torn the skin -from mouth to ear. - -The lull in the storm lasted for nearly an hour. Many of the pandies -contemptuously flouted the commands of their officers, and, giving up -the attack on the fort, began to seek fresh plunder in the town, or -joined in the half-hearted attempts to render the English house -untenable. The remainder of the force, gathered together by Pir Baksh, -kept up a long-range fire through the loopholes, in the hope that some -bullets might find their billets. - -"Why don't Munro come to the rescue?" Harry Tynan bitterly demanded. -"With eighty men he could break through this gang of cowards, if only he -had the pluck to try." - -"He can't," Ted retorted; "they're penned in there like sheep. And how -could he break through with nearly a dozen women and kids to protect? -Would you have him leave them to their fate?" - -"Half his men could do it." - -"Not they--nor twice his whole force. It's a soldier's risk that we -bargained for when we took our commissions. We may win through yet; and -if not, we must just stick to it as long as we can. Well, what's the -matter now, havildar?" - -Ambar Singh had left his post. - -"The dogs are about to make a rush, Ensign Sahib. They Have brought logs -and beams and mean to batter down the door. Listen! They are -volley-firing to keep us from the loopholes." - -The fusillade had suddenly redoubled--steady volleys this time--and a -hail of lead pattered against the walls, and a few bullets smacked -against the sides of the slits and cannoned shapeless into the room. - -"Quick, upstairs, you three!" Ted cried. "Take as many muskets as you -can carry and fire rapidly!" - -Three sepoys nodded significantly and ran up the stairs. In another -moment a succession of reports from above announced that they understood -their business. As our hero had intended, the rebels jumped at the -conclusion that their fire having become too hot, the garrison had -shifted, so they changed their aim. - -Instantly the abandoned loopholes were occupied, just as two parties, -each of six or eight men bearing improvised battering-rams, charged the -door at full speed. Crack went eight muskets together, and half a dozen -fell. Fresh firearms were handed to the marksmen, and the logs were -dropped as the few survivors scuttled away. For a third time the reports -rang out, and only one of the log-carriers rejoined his comrades. - -"Down, men!" Ted gave warning, as the rebels savagely changed their aim -once more and swept the lower embrasures with their fire. One poor -fellow was not quite quick enough. Before he could duck a bullet had -entered his forehead. Setting aside the two Rajputs who were dangerously -wounded, there were now twelve sepoys and two English lads to defend the -place, and of these fourteen five were wounded. - -"Curse the bloodthirsty ruffians!" Tynan hissed. - -His blood was up. Springing to a loophole he fired twice, bringing down -a man each time. - -"Be careful," Ted cautioned him. "That won't pay." - -"The sooner it's over the better," Tynan replied, but took the advice -all the same. - -The hostile fire gradually slackened, and the garrison were shortly -enabled to watch the proceedings of their adversaries. They could see -Pir Baksh vainly exhorting the mutineers to make a second attempt. But -the sepoys shook their heads. The danger was too great, or why did not -Pir Baksh himself lead them, they asked. Their English officers were -wont to share the danger with the sepoys, but he, Pir Baksh, was careful -to keep out of range whenever he sent them forward. No, they preferred -to wait for night, when the risk would be small. - -Judging that they would be safe for another hour at least, the two -Englishmen ordered food to be prepared. They anticipated that the crisis -would come with the sunset, and strength must be kept up. - -"What are you grinning at?" asked Tynan, as they sat cross-legged over -the meal. - -"I was thinking what a rummy go it is," Ted replied, "that we two of all -the officers should be here together. We haven't been friends, Tynan, -but if ever we get out of this hole I hope we will be. And if we don't -get out, I trust we can die without any bad feeling between us. Shake -hands on it, old chap." - -Tynan leant forward to meet the proffered hand. - -"All right, Russell! I'm agreeable. It ain't my fault that we've not -been friends." - -This was not a very gracious speech, and Ted's ardour was damped. He -shook hands, however, saying: - -"We must back one another up to-day." - -"Right! But look here, you mustn't forget that I'm senior officer here. -You've been giving orders pretty freely." - -"Because you didn't seem ready with any suggestions." - -"It's my turn now, remember," Tynan asserted in an aggrieved tone; and -Ted felt sorry he had spoken, as the other seemed incapable of sinking -his personal feelings even at such a time. Unless his senior officer -showed more sign of rising to the occasion, he determined to continue to -issue orders. - -Though the magazine at Aurungpore was not a large one, its capture would -prove an enormous boon to the rebel cause, for therein was stored a -quantity of ammunition and material of war. Armed therewith, all the -rabble of the town would soon be equipped as soldiers, and our ensign -understood what would then become of his friends and comrades, and above -all of his brother's sweetheart. A shiver ran down his spine as he -remembered Jim's parting whisper, and there rose before him the picture -of the girl who had saved his life and whom he secretly adored. He vowed -to do his duty manfully, and never to despair while there remained the -least hope of preventing the ravening wolves outside from gaining access -to the stores. - -"What the deuce are you up to now?" Tynan broke in. - -The senior ensign had been regarding the junior's meditations with -considerable curiosity, wondering how he could become so absorbed at so -critical a time. His query had been called forth by a sudden change of -expression that had overspread his comrade's features. Ted's eyes had -opened wide, and he had given an almost imperceptible gasp, sure signs -that some startling idea had come upon him unawares. - -"What is it, Russell?" Tynan repeated. - -"Oh, nothing, nothing!" Ted hastily assured him. "I was just thinking -what an awful business this is." - -"Has that only just occurred to you?" his comrade sullenly inquired, -convinced that Ted was keeping something back. - -And so he was. Not that he wished to mislead his brother officer but -rather because the idea that had so unceremoniously thrust itself in -front of him, suggested an action so appalling as almost to stupefy him. -He must think, think, think. Could he bring himself to do it? Ought he -to do it? - -Hardly the place or time this for quiet meditation, for the weighing of -pros and cons. One of the watchers signalled that the pandies had again -lost patience, and to confirm his words the heavy fusillade recommenced, -and the ensign ceased to ponder and began to act. The rebels had now got -the range with deadly accuracy, and unless he courted death, none of the -garrison dared return the fire. - -Our hero did make one such attempt, and reduced the number of one of the -battering-crews. But before he could get in a second shot the muzzle of -his musket was struck and dented, and a bullet whistled through his -hair, grazing the skin. He crouched down and put his hand to his head, -fearing he was done for. A soft thud and rattle beside him announced the -fall of a sepoy who had followed the rash example with fatal courage. -Forgetting his own wound the ensign knelt beside the Rajput and raised -his head. The poor fellow still breathed but was going fast, and a -shudder ran through the boy as the man died in his arms, true to the -end. - -"Are you hurt?" Tynan asked. - -"I'm not quite sure. I don't think so." - -"Let me see. Oh, it's only a scratch." - -The sepoys in the room above, less hampered by the rebel fire, were -answering back to some purpose until they too were silenced, one of -their number being mortally wounded. A crash against the stout door -seemed to shake the house, and before the vibration ceased another bang -was heard. Englishmen and Rajputs were firing hastily whenever an -opportunity occurred, but the pandies now held the upper hand. A -splintering noise followed the next crash. - -"What can we do, Russell? What can we do?" Tynan cried. "They'll be in -in a moment!" - -Backed by the strength of half a dozen men the logs crashed once more -against the barrier, and the hearts of the garrison were heavy as lead. - -"We're not done for yet," Ted stoutly replied. "We must wait for them in -the passage. We may yet hold the passage, Ambar Singh; and should we -die, men will speak of your deeds from generation to generation." - -"We can hold them back for a time, sahib. Come, my children, and thou, -Bisesar Rai, and thou, Dwarika Rai, load and pass us the muskets as we -lie in the doorway." - -Of the twenty-two Rajputs ten were still able to fight, and three others -remained alive though sorely wounded. They were now all together, and -Ted, Ambar Singh the havildar, and as many others as could crowd in, -were lying full length before the wide-arched entrance to the room. From -the slowly-yielding door the passage ran straight for a few paces before -curving to the right, and an enemy coming round the bend would be at a -great disadvantage, for the best marksmen of the garrison waited with -ready muskets, their elbows on the threshold, their bodies within the -room. Behind them two comrades stood, a loaded musket in each hand, to -exchange for the emptied weapons, and beside them knelt Bisesar Rai and -Dwarika Rai busily loading the firearms. The pandies could not take aim -without coming into full view, but the defenders could fire with a -minimum of exposure, and could draw back their heads into safety -whenever they saw a musket-barrel pointing at random towards them. - -A louder crash, a shrill yell, and a mob of maddened sepoys swept inside -and round the bend. Six muskets cracked at once, and the yells changed -to howls of dismay. A second volley--not in unison this time, but no -less effective--and the sepoys turned and fled. The victory was not to -be so easy as they had imagined. Had the garrison been armed as were -they, with one Brown Bess apiece and a limited supply of ammunition, it -would all have been over long ago they told themselves, but when volley -followed volley with such rapidity, it was like facing a regiment. The -sepoys were not cowards as a rule, but they knew they were playing a -traitor's part. In a good cause, well led, they would have risked the -danger, even as the handful of loyal Rajputs were devoting their lives -to their duty. - -A nerve-ruining silence, broken only by the moans of the wounded who lay -on the floor, followed the shrill outcries. The rebels were baffled but -not defeated. Slowly, painfully the minutes dragged, then two black -heads showed round the bend, and two spurts of flame flashed out. Before -the reports had reached them, Ted and Ambar Singh had pressed their -fingers, and two sepoys fell forward on their faces. The defenders were -untouched, the rebels having fired at random, and for a while none dared -follow their example. - -In despair several of the raging mob pushed their musket-barrels round -the bend and let fly, in the hope that an occasional bullet out of many -might reduce the number of their dogged antagonists. But Ted drew his -men back from the doorway until the sepoys were tired of this amusement. - -Each rebel urged his neighbour to face the fire of those death-dealing -muskets; each man knew that the end was at hand, and preferred to hold -himself back that he might share in the plunder. Now that they were no -longer a glorious regiment but a mere mob of rebels, none was ready to -give his life for the cause. The garrison also knew that the end was -drawing near, and were in no way deceived by the momentary calm. - -"Hullo!" Ted cried, and stared open-mouthed. "What's that for?" - -A white cloth tied round the barrel of a musket had been poked round the -corner. - -"A truce, sahibs!" a voice called in Urdu. "We wish to treat with you -and save your lives. May I step forward in safety?" - -"One man may," Tynan replied, "but he will be a dead man should there be -any sign of treachery." - -"Sahib, there will be none; I give my word of honour." - -So saying, Pir Baksh stepped round the bend, armed only with a smile -that he doubtless intended to be ingratiating. - -"Ye are gallant warriors," he began, when Ted, interrupting the flow of -words, ordered the rascal to speak in English, not Urdu. The subadar -showed the whites of his eyes as he smiled, and grimly shook his head. -For the benefit of the Rajputs he resumed in the vernacular: - -"Ye cannot hope to hold out much longer, so let there be no further -bloodshed. Surrender the fort and we will spare your lives." - -"What do you think, Russell?" Tynan hurriedly whispered. "Do you believe -they mean it?" - -"Not they!" was Ted's scornful reply. - -"Perhaps they do, though. I'll ask him what they intend to do with us." - -"Why, you can't mean to give up the magazine under any conditions?" our -astonished ensign demanded, his eyes contracting as he stared at his -senior officer. - -"They'll have it all the same if they kill us, though," Tynan muttered, -lowering his eyes, unable to meet his comrade's gaze. "So what's the -odds. May as well save our lives while there's a chance." - -He thereupon made answer to the jemadar. - -"If we surrender, what will you do with us?" - -"We will keep you captive, but promise you your lives," came the prompt -reply. - -"Will you allow us to join our friends over yonder? If not, we shall -still fight, and we are not so helpless as you think." Tynan was not -quite a coward, and he used the threat with some show of spirit. - -"I cannot promise that without consulting my friends." - -So saying, the subadar retired for further instructions. Ted had had -time for reflection. - -"Tynan," he announced, "I sha'n't agree to surrender. We've no right to -do it! Look what a lift it would give them if they could get all these -arms and ammunition." - -Our ensign had quite made up his mind what to do. If his death would -make more secure the position of his comrades in the town he was -prepared to die. There was satisfaction in the reflection that Ethel -Woodburn would know that he had been staunch to the last. Poor Tynan had -no friends among the officers of his corps, and consequently there was -nothing to uplift his soul above the fear of death, and he had clutched -eagerly at the straw of hope held out by Pir Baksh. - -"Well, they'll get it all the same after they've done for us," he -bitterly replied. "May as well live to fight another day. I was a fool -ever to come to this accursed land. What right had Munro to leave us -here?" - -Before Ted could reply the white flag was thrust round the corner and -the subadar returned. - -"We agree to what you ask," said he. "We will permit you to rejoin your -friends in safety." - -"I tell you I shall not agree to surrender," the junior ensign angrily -declared. - -"You fool! What's the good of holding out any longer? Well, I shall -surrender, and I'm chief here." - -"You're not! You're under Munro's orders, and those were to hold the -fort until he sends help. If you attempt to surrender you're a -traitor." - -Ted turned to Ambar Singh and the sepoys. - -"Do not listen to the dogs," said he. "Let us fight to the end, as your -forefathers did against the Moguls. They are not to be trusted; they -will assuredly slay us if we yield." - -The sepoys stoutly assented. They had little faith in the Mohammedans, -who were seeking their lives,--the men who had murdered Markham Sahib. - -"You are right, sahib," said the havildar, "and we will fight by your -side. That low-caste hound," pointing to Pir Baksh, "is afraid of us, -and wishes to disarm us with soft words, but we know him." - -Tynan saw his authority taken from him, the sepoys understanding and -looking to Ted as their leader. - -"How dare you?" he hotly demanded. - -"Oh, go away! You've nothing to do with this business." Ted sneered, not -too generously, for Tynan had disgusted him. With the same breath he -ordered Pir Baksh to clear away, and the firing recommenced. - -The time had come for him to act upon the resolve he had made, a resolve -to sacrifice himself and his already-doomed handful, rather than allow -the capture of the stores to endanger the safety of his countrymen. The -idea of blowing up the magazine had come upon him suddenly as he -remembered the news that had arrived yesterday from Delhi,--how -Lieutenant Willoughby and his nine heroes had blown up the immense -arsenal there and destroyed hundreds of rebels. - -The entrance to the magazine was through the room in which they lay. The -rebels were quiet, plotting some new move, no doubt, so, leaving the -trusty Ambar Singh in charge, Ted proceeded to the spot and began to lay -a train of powder to connect the barrels with their post. Before the -others had guessed his intention he had brought the train within the -room, and the white-faced senior ensign, who had lost by now the last -remnant of his pluck, jabbered incoherently and attempted to interfere, -until Ted roughly threatened to blow his brains out. Dazed and trembling -the wretched boy shifted as far as he could from the black trail. The -Rajputs looked on with frightened eyes, half-paralysed by the shock of -this new terror; and Dwarika Rai fell on his knees and begged the ensign -to have mercy, for such a fate meant more than death to these Hindus. - -For a moment the boy's heart failed him; the thought was too awful. To -be blown into a hundred pieces, how terrible it seemed! And what right -had he to condemn these faithful men to such a death? - -Then out spake the havildar. - -"If we have to die, let us die like men. Fire the train, sahib!" - -"Nay, not yet. Our duty is to stand by our post until the last. No man -must leave the room, though." - -He lighted a candle and placed it within easy reach, that the flame -might be ready on the shortest notice. - -"Ha!" whispered Ambar Singh, and there was a reckless note in his voice. -"The jackals are cunning. See!" - -Round the bend was pushed forward a large sack full of sand, then -another; and soon a third filled up the space. As the last was clumsily -poked into its place between the others it tottered and overbalanced, -and a couple of pandies leant forward to lift it up. Two muskets spat -forth flame and the rebels rolled over in a heap, upsetting another -sack. Quick as thought, as the sepoys were engaged in pulling their -wounded comrades back, Ted ran with light steps down the passage, -keeping close to the farther wall, and seizing a sack with either hand, -dragged them away before the amazed mutineers had time to fire. - -To make doubly sure of his safety Ambar Singh and his men let fly, and -the bullets, sweeping across the bend, covered the lad's return. Amid -the cheers of the loyalists the bags were propped in the doorway to -serve as a rampart for them, and they began to mock the traitors. - -But this triumph could merely put off the evil moment. In another -half-hour fresh sand-bags had been brought in, and before long the -pandies were in a position to command the doorway. As the news spread -that the end was near the mob of sepoys increased, and Ted smiled to -himself. He addressed the Rajputs: - -"You have done your duty in a manner worthy of your ancestors, and I am -going to do mine. Run for your lives!" - -"No, Russell, you sha'n't!" cried Tynan, whose nerve had completely -broken down. "I surrender,--Pir Baksh, I surrender!" He tried to snatch -the light from his comrade's hand. Ted covered him with his pistol, and, -pointing across the passage, said simply: - -"Run for your life!" - -Hot all over, his fingers tingling and his head ringing--partly dread of -the horror and partly a glorious exultation--the boy dropped the lighted -candle on the thin trail of powder, and darted from the room as a horde -of sepoys rushed in. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -Defence of the Commissioner's House - - -When Major Munro's eighty officers and men arrived inside the house of -refuge, they found that the few civilians, ladies, and children of -Aurungpore had all escaped thereto, having been warned in time. At the -first sign of outbreak they had found access to the fort impossible, and -had taken refuge in the Commissioner's house, the largest and strongest -in the town, situated within easy reach of all the European bungalows, -and close to the fort itself. They were in sore plight when the soldiers -forced their way in--another half-hour would have been too late. - -From roof, loophole, and sheltered parapet blazed the muskets of the -Rajputs, lending their aid to the rifles of the English gentlemen, and -the mob drew back, raging furiously, but afraid to strike at close -quarters. The sad story was told; dry-eyed but heavy-hearted the -residents heard of the murder of their friends. The wounded men were -speedily given every possible assistance, and the ladies left nothing -undone to alleviate their pain. To tend the sufferers was their first -care, but the great-hearted Englishwomen insisted on taking their share -in the defence, refusing to leave the posts of danger for the -comparative safety of the inner rooms whilst there were rifles and -muskets to load and hand to the marksmen. - -Greatly to his dismay Munro found it quite impossible to send aid to the -little garrison of the fort, the route being blocked by hundreds of -fanatical savages. If he should despatch even half his command to break -their way through they would be destroyed, and the remaining half would -fall an easy prey to the triumphant rebels. - -The continued fusillade from the direction of the fort told him that the -handful of defenders he had left behind was being hotly assailed, and he -sadly feared that he had left them there to die. Bitterly the major -regretted his error. Such concentrated fury on the part of the -inhabitants had never been anticipated; he had felt sure of clearing the -street and bringing the party safely back, and he had made a mistake. - -Colonel Woodburn's wound, though serious, was not dangerous, and before -long Ethel was able to leave him for a short time. Whilst the soldiers -were breaking their way through the crowd, she had seen her father -carried in their midst, and had eyes for none but him. Now she looked -around for Ted and could not see him. - -"Where is Ted Russell, Major Munro? He's not--surely he has not been -murdered!" - -Munro was agitated, and showed it. - -"He's in the fort, Ethel; I left Lowthian, Tynan, and Russell with a few -sepoys to guard it, and they're being attacked. Listen! I ought not to -have left 'em. Leigh," he exclaimed, turning to an officer beside him, -"is there nothing to be done? Can we leave those fellows to die? And if -the fort is captured there is no escape for us!" - -Lieutenant Leigh shook his head. - -"We are helpless, sir. If we make a sortie not one of us would reach the -fort, and the women would be left without protectors." - -Still the rattle of musketry kept up, and the inmates listened with -troubled hearts for the firing to cease--the signal of the capture of -the fort and the death of its garrison. - -"It's stopped!" groaned Sir Arthur Fletcher, and a shudder ran through -the house. - -Ethel Woodburn turned pale, shuddered, and gripped the table for -support. Ted Russell murdered by those savages! She recalled the -ensign's merry looks and honest nature, and realized what a place the -boy had won in her heart. Could it be possible that she would never see -him again? How terribly cut up Jim would be! - -Jim! Aye, what of him? If her own trusted, well-tried regiment could so -suddenly transform itself into a horde of fiends, what might not have -happened to the Guides, that collection of outlaws and robbers? In all -probability her lover had already been murdered. Her grief for Ted gave -way to a greater anxiety regarding the fate of her betrothed. She walked -aimlessly towards the window and looked out upon the distant mob, her -thoughts far away from Aurungpore. - -"Miss Woodburn, for heaven's sake come away from the window!" Sir Arthur -Fletcher almost shrieked as he planted himself in front of the girl. -"They are not firing now, but--" - -A bullet crashed through the shattered window, and passing within an -inch of the Commissioner's head, flattened itself against the far wall. -Ethel awoke and skipped aside, and, seeing that she was safe, Sir Arthur -followed suit. She had forgotten her own danger; she had not reflected -that, even had the Guides proved true to their salt, nothing seemed less -likely than that Jim Russell would ever see her again. She thanked Sir -Arthur mechanically, and began to wonder how poor Jim would bear the -news of her death. Having no doubt of his great love for her, her grief -was more for him than for herself, horrible as the outlook was. - -Led by Major Munro, the men grimly went on with their work of -strengthening the defences of the house, whilst their picked shots -replied to the random firing. - -Suddenly another volley rang out from the direction of the fort; then a -second; then the loud irregular firing of the pandies. - -"They're not done for yet!" Munro cried. "Thank God, there is still a -chance!" - -For half an hour the distant firing was heard, and intense anxiety -prevailed as it gradually died away. The tension was nerve-shattering; -so much so, that a half-hearted attack upon the house came almost as a -relief from the suspense. Strong in their defences, they once more beat -the rebels back with heavy loss, and another weary period of waiting -ensued. - -Volley after volley, regular and disciplined as though with blank -cartridge on parade, caused their hearts to beat more wildly. What could -it mean? The volley was too heavy to have been the work of the little -garrison, and so far the traitors had fired independently, as each man -thought best, without regard to any word of command. Could help have -come? - -They looked out towards the parade-ground, and the unconcerned -appearance of the groups that moved restlessly up and down destroyed -this wild hope. Besides, who could possibly have come to the rescue? -They had heard the cracks of the volleys that covered the first rush of -the battering crews. Unable to fathom its meaning, they rejoiced therein -as a proof that their comrades still held out. - -Again a lull, and again an assault upon their own stronghold, directed -this time against the rear of the house. For a space they had no time to -think of the fort, so hotly were they engaged; but the rabble lacked -resolute leaders, and the budmashes would obey no commands. Thirty of -their bravest were slain, and the others sneaked away like a pack of -wolves, beaten and cowed. So far the garrison had lost only two men -killed and one badly wounded. - -The sun was wheeling slowly downwards beyond the fort, and for a time no -sound had been heard save the yells of the excited mob ebbing and -flowing through the streets. - -"It seems wicked to stay here in safety, Major," Ethel whispered, "and -to think of our plucky fellows at the mercy of those fiends." - -The major made no reply. For hours that same thought had made him -wretched, but he knew better than she how helpless was their own -position. - -"Could we not make a sortie?" the girl continued. "Might it not be -possible, as soon as darkness comes, for us all to make a rush for the -fort? We might take them completely by surprise, and once inside, a -hundred could hold it for weeks. If only we could get the guns!" - -Munro shook his head sadly. - -"A hundred to one that we should find the rebels in possession, Ethel," -he made answer, "and then all would indeed be lost. But we should never -get so far. Here we may hold our own for days--unless indeed the pandies -take the fort and are able to load the guns--but not for half an hour in -the street with women to protect and wounded men to carry. No, it is not -possible; would it were! Believe me, Ethel, there is not a man here but -would gladly take the risk if we had only ourselves to think of." - -"I know it well," she admitted, "and I know you are right; but it is -horrible, horrible to think of, and it is our fault. If we were not here -you men could rescue them. That seems so hard." - -"Listen!" said Leigh. "I think I hear the sound of firing again. It is -very faint." - -Everyone listened intently, and Ethel could hear the ticking of her -watch. She was the first to break the silence. - -"I think I hear it. The sound comes from inside the fort." - -She had hardly spoken the words when the roar of a tremendous explosion -filled their ears and almost deafened them. The house shook, and a -column of dense smoke rose where the fort had been. They looked at one -another with blanched faces and then at the ruin in front. That portion -of the fort which contained the magazine was demolished, and some -buildings that had partially obstructed their view were dismantled or -levelled with the ground. Streams of natives rushed to and fro in wild -confusion, shrieking with pain and fear. Masses of timber and masonry -fell around, killing numbers in the closely-packed streets, and the -scene was one of destruction and desolation. - -Major Munro clapped his hand to his thigh; his face glowed with -admiration and enthusiasm. - -"Lowthian's done that!" he exclaimed. "He's saved the arsenal from their -clutches.----Gallant fellows!" - -"But what of Ted Russell?" Ethel breathlessly asked. "And of Lieutenant -Lowthian and the others?" she added as an afterthought. - -Munro hesitated before replying. - -"I'm afraid there's little hope for them, my dear Ethel; though they do -say that those nearest sometimes escape better than others farther -away." This was also an afterthought, added from a weak desire to cheer. - -The girl turned away her head to hide her emotion and returned to her -father's room. In awed whispers the men discussed the glorious act, and -various conjectures were hazarded as to the manner of its doing and the -possibility of their comrades' escape. - -Away in the west the sun had just vanished below the horizon and -darkness set in swiftly. The vicinity of the Commissioner's house seemed -deserted, and no fresh attack was made that night. Evidently that -bloodthirsty crew was awed and its ardour damped by the appalling -vengeance taken by the unbeaten handful. Scores had been killed, and yet -more injured, by the force of the explosion. - -They had been taught the lesson that it does not pay to push white men -too far, and Munro felt assured that for that night at least the house -was safe. Yet he neglected no precaution, and guards were set on every -side, whilst the remainder of the garrison were ordered to rest whether -they wished to or not. Few could sleep, try as they would, and a loud -challenge by one of the sentries at the rear brought men and women -flocking to the scene, ready for the fray. - -Ethel hastened to the spot, in time to see the door thrown open, and two -ragged figures, black with smoke and grime, enter the house. A loud -cheer was raised as the door was shut and barricaded. - -"Ted!" she joyfully cried. "You, Ted?" - -To our hero's embarrassment she stepped forward and kissed his -smoke-begrimed countenance. - -Yes, Ensign Russell had escaped! Strange to say, he and Havildar Ambar -Singh, the other survivor, had been the nearest to the magazine when the -explosion occurred, and yet they had escaped its worst effects. The -havildar had pluckily waited for the ensign when the others ran for -safety, and, as they dashed out of the room, they crashed into the thick -of the triumphant pandies. - -But no attempt was made to kill them. The rebels had pulled up short as -they saw and heard the spluttering powder, wild terror in their eyes; -and the foremost tried to back away from the spot. The crush was too -great, however, though Ted and Ambar Singh had time to bore their way -into the crowd. They remembered no more. When they came to themselves it -was dark, and they were lying amid a heap of killed and injured men, -with stones and bricks scattered all around. They were both cut and -badly bruised, and Ambar Singh's foot was crushed. In the darkness they -had been able to steal away, stumbling over dead bodies and wrecked -masonry, until they found themselves in the open. So great was the awe -that had come upon the rebels that the neighbourhood was deserted, so -they crept stealthily through the streets, the havildar nearly dead with -pain. Accosted once or twice, Ambar Singh had answered, passing himself -and his companion off as rebels. - -As Ted was speaking the plucky Rajput sergeant fainted away, and was -carried to the hospital-room. Munro interrupted the congratulations and -showers of questions by ordering everyone to lie down again, except the -guards. Ted at least was not sorry to obey the command. - -Next day he told the tale of the defence of the fort, of the death of -Lowthian, and of the heroism of Ambar Singh and his Rajputs. Men and -women forgot their own danger for a space, and crowded round to listen -to the ensign's story. No need to say that he was silent respecting -Tynan's willingness to surrender to Pir Baksh. He used the word "we", -not "I", throughout. - -"But who first thought of destroying the magazine?" asked the -commandant. "You say 'we' decided to do it. The thought would not occur -to both Tynan and yourself at once." - -Ted admitted that the plan was his; also, in reply to the next question, -that it was he who had fired the train. - -"But it was Tynan's job as senior officer to do that." - -"Well, you see, sir, I was the one to--to suggest it; so it was only -fair that I should carry it out." - -"Humph!" said the major, who had his own opinion about the affair. - -"You're a plucky fellow, Russell, and it's possible that you've saved us -all. The pandies seem thoroughly disheartened to-day." - -Paterson passed his arm through Ted's and whispered: - -"Well done, old man! I--I can't say what I think about it;" and as he -caught Ethel's glance of admiration, approval, and affection there was -no prouder officer in all India than Ensign Russell. - -"I hope that rascal Pir Baksh has been killed," he said presently. "Did -you know, Major, that it was he who shot the colonel?" - -"No. Are you sure, Ted? He always seemed such a plausible fellow." - -"I didn't see him myself, but Tynan told us that he saw the deed. -Certainly Pir Baksh seemed to be the leader in the attack on the fort." - -"Pir Baksh!" said Havildar Ambar Singh as he limped into the room. "The -hound is surely dead. Major Sahib, I have written down the names of all -my men who perished in the fort yesterday, so that their families may -get the pension if you English win, and that their names may be recorded -as true to their salt." - -"Thank you, Havildar! It's a good officer who thinks first of his men. -How is your foot to-day?" - -"Better, sahib; better, thanks! I do not grudge the injury if that son -of a hyena, Pir Baksh, has been killed. If the young sahib here had not -been resolute and taken over the command, he would have deceived Tynan -Sahib, and we should have been delivered into their hands to be -murdered." - -"Ah!" said Munro, pricking his ears; "so Russell Sahib had to take over -the command? How was that?" - -"The other was scared, Major Sahib. True, he was but a lad, and it is -hardly to be wondered at. But Russell Sahib refused to surrender, and -appealed to us, and we put aside the other and looked to this one as our -leader. Ha! Russell Sahib played the man, for he threatened to shoot his -comrade when the other objected to being blown up. He will make a -general, will the Ensign Sahib." - -"Is this story true, Russell?" demanded Munro. - -"It's true, sir; but you oughtn't to be hard on Tynan. He was plucky -enough most of the time." - -"John Lawrence shall know about this if I live," said the major with -unwonted emphasis. "All England shall know about it." - -"But you won't say anything about Tynan, sir?" Ted asked. - -"No, that wouldn't do. We must treat him as dead--ignore his presence in -the fort altogether." - -Colonel Woodburn's condition was hopeful. The bullet had been -successfully extracted, and he was doing well. He sent for Ted, and made -him tell the story from beginning to end. Our hero was getting rather -tired of it, and Ethel was merciless. She would not allow him to cut out -the least incident. The colonel was mightily pleased. - -"Do you know," the ensign observed as they quitted the invalid's room, -"in the midst of the crowd I noticed the three fanatics who set on us in -the bazaar. I expect the poor beggars are blown to bits by now." - -"I suppose there is no chance," Miss Woodburn asked, "that that poor boy -Tynan has survived?" - -"I'm afraid not. I think the havildar and I are the only survivors, but -of course there was no time to make certain." - -"Poor Tynan!" she murmured, more to herself than to her companion. "I -have always felt so sorry for the boy since he joined us." - -"Have you? Why? Don't think me a brute, Ethel, if I say that since that -event most of our fellows seem to have pitied the regiment most." - -"You have no right to say that, Ted," Ethel declared, her clear, -steadfast eyes regarding the ensign reproachfully. "Tynan has lost his -life, we believe, and you know the Latin tag about speaking good or -nothing at all of the dead." - -Ted was rather surprised. A few moments ago he had tried to omit all -mention of Tynan's cowardice, but she had insisted on the whole truth. -He recollected having read that even the most charming members of the -sex were changeable and unaccountable. - -"I'm sorry," said he. "I won't say anything harsh about Tynan; but why -were you so sorry for him all along?" - -"Because it struck me as so pitiable that he made no real friends, and I -never once noticed him looking downright happy. The most he seemed to -get out of life was a miserable pretence of enjoyment--a mere attempt to -persuade himself that he was having a good time. His has been such a -wasted life, Ted. I have thought a great deal about it this morning and -last night, and it has seemed so very sad. None of the healthy pleasures -and pursuits that have meant so much to you and Paterson appealed to him -in the least." - -"What have Russell and I been doing now, Miss Ethel?" a well-known voice -broke in, and Paterson joined them. - -Miss Woodburn hesitated and turned red. To speak freely with her future -brother-in-law was one thing, to discuss serious subjects with a couple -of light-hearted ensigns at once was quite another. Ted came to the -rescue. - -"Miss Woodburn was saying how sorry she has always been for poor Tynan," -he explained. - -"So have I," said Alec slowly; "at least at times, when he was not in -the way, but I'm sorry to say I couldn't stand him when he was close at -hand. I wish now that I hadn't tried so hard to be sarcastic." - -"You would have risked your lives to save him from death or danger," -said Ethel, "but it was harder to try and save him from himself. At -least I found it so, for more than once I resolved to try to gain his -confidence and interest him in more sensible pursuits, but being too -cowardly and selfish, I was too easily discouraged." - -"He was hardly the sort one could make a friend of," Paterson mused -aloud. "You're right though, Miss Ethel, it was just selfishness and -conceit on our part to regard ourselves as superior beings just because -we didn't happen to like the sort of things he cared about." - -"We looked at everything from a different point of view," Ethel resumed -after a pause, "and got more enjoyment out of life." - -"I never saw it in that light before," said Ted, "but I think I know -what you mean. For instance, when we were all so excited over the race, -he had no sympathy whatever with the horses or riders, but just regarded -the affair as so much money to be won or lost." - -"Yes, but don't be scornful, Ted. Think of all he has lost during his -short lifetime by not having a healthy mind. Think of all the happiness -you have enjoyed from your love of sports and games, through your -friendships and your admiration for what is good and right. But you are -rather young quite to grasp what I mean." - -Ethel Woodburn, aged twenty-one, spoke as though she felt the wisdom of -ages within her, and the boys could not help glancing at one another. -She caught the glance, and her eyes twinkled as she continued: - -"One could easily see that Tynan was a spoiled child, cursed with -foolish parents. I think, Ted, that of all selfish people, those parents -who are too generous to deny their children anything, or too -tender-hearted to punish them, are the most criminally selfish. And -that's what made me so sorry for the boy. Once or twice I was on the -point of asking you to give him a bit of your friendship, but somehow I -didn't quite like to do it." - -"Well," said Ted, "I'm sorry for my share in any rows we had, and I -forgive him his share." - -"Rather easy for us to forgive one who is dead, is it not, Ted? Can we -forgive now, at this moment, those rebels who want to kill us?" - -"I suppose that you forgive 'em, Ethel, but I can't say that I do." - -"But I didn't forgive Tynan, Ted. I heard of that fight you had; in -fact, I met Tynan just afterwards, and very tactlessly asked him what -had happened, supposing he had met with an accident. Unluckily he had -not had time to cool down, and--well, he laughed in my face and forgot -himself. You see, his people are wealthy, but not quite--you know what I -mean?--he's not a gentleman, and he hinted at the cause of your fight." - -"The cad!" said Ted. - -"Steady, old boy! I felt as if I could never forgive him, so please -don't imagine I'm making myself out better than you. I feel bad about it -now, and if by any chance he should escape I should find it easy to -forgive him, though there's little credit in that." - -"I didn't think he could have done such a thing," said Ted. "I forgive -that mullah and his friends who knifed me, so long as I think they've -both been killed, but if I should see 'em to-morrow I'm afraid I should -still remember that I owe 'em one." - -"Yet, as I said before, you'd risk your life willingly enough to save -theirs, just as they do in the story-books." Miss Woodburn laughed as -she went on: "I must say that it annoys me to read those tales entitled -_A Noble Revenge_ or _Coals of Fire_, or something of the kind, where -someone who has been greatly injured takes his revenge by saving his -enemy from drowning, or climbs to the top story of a burning house and -rescues the evil-doer, who promptly repents. It's all very noble, of -course; but it's such a thorough vindication, and such glory for the -rescuer, that a more complete triumph over one's enemy couldn't be -wished for. What could one desire better than to make your enemy feel -small, and acknowledge how much nobler you are than he?" - -"I should like," said Ted, with feeling, "to make these beggars outside -feel small. We've drifted into a curious talk, considering our -situation." - -"Not a bit of it," said Alec. "I quite agree with you, Miss Ethel. I -must go and relieve Leigh now, and you relieve me in a couple of hours, -Ted. Miss Woodburn, I'm glad we've had this talk, and I sha'n't forget -it." - -"And I must go back to father now," said Ethel, whereupon Ted turned to -accompany her. - -The colonel was fast asleep, breathing easily. - -"Good-bye for a few hours, Ethel!" said the ensign; and added in a low, -hesitating tone, "You're a saint." - -"I! Oh, Ted, you little know me--you and Jim. It's easy to forgive one -who can no longer injure you, but it's hard to live your ordinary life -with a person who wishes to injure you, or who has done so, and who -hates and despises you. What a terrible prig you must think me, Ted! I -know I can't feel like that myself. I only wish I could." - -Ted glanced guiltily round. There was no one in the room save Colonel -Woodburn, and he was sleeping, undisturbed by their whispering. Seizing -the girl's hand he kissed it, awkwardly and nervously, then hastily -dropping it blushed furiously. - -"There!" exclaimed the ensign jerkily. "I knew I should do it some day. -I'm sure Jim never did that." - -"Oh--?" - -Ethel's face was also flushed, and she looked radiantly charming as she -gave utterance to the long-drawn, quizzing exclamation, and a new light -broke in upon Ted. - -"What! Old Jim?" he asked. "Well, who'd have thought it? Lucky beggar! -It's a dainty little hand." - -"Silence, sir! I must ask you to leave the room." - -"Good-bye, then, little sister!" - - - - -CHAPTER X - -Hope and Despair - - -Two more weary days passed inside the fortified house. Numerous attacks -had been made, and though they had invariably failed, some damage had -been inflicted on the besieged. As the assailants were retiring in -disorder after one of these futile attempts, a big, light-featured man -in scanty costume sidled up to the house, waving a sealed letter. - -"Quick! let me in!" he shouted. "I'm a sepoy of the Guide Corps!" - -The door was hurriedly thrown open, but not before the besiegers had -divined the man's intentions, and bullets whizzed perilously near his -head before he was safe inside. Espying our hero, the Guide handed him -the letter, and Ted recognized the fellow as Faiz Talab, his brother's -orderly. - -He opened the note, and his face glowed. He whistled, then shouted in -great excitement, "Hurrah! the Guides are coming!" - -"The Guides!" echoed Sir Arthur, and a joyful light came into Ethel's -eyes. Faiz Talab, the Pathan, grinned gleefully. - -The letter, dated from Manghur, thirty-two miles away, ran as follows:-- - -"We were starting for Delhi when the Aurungpore news arrived, and as we -pass so close I obtained permission to detach 120 men to your aid. A -greater number cannot be spared, as Delhi is all-important. So, old man, -tell Ethel I'll soon be with her." - -The great news quickly spread from one end of the big house to the -other. Food was prepared for the bearer of good tidings, and Faiz Talab, -Yusufzai, was fêted as he had never been before. He described the route -by which the Guides would come, and stated when they might be expected. - -"Russell Sahib will be here to-morrow, and by the beard of the Prophet, -we shall teach these curs a lesson!" he concluded. - -"You seem to know this district well," said the Commissioner. "You have -been here before," and the man grinned slyly. - -"I was a youngster, sahib, when first I saw Aurungpore. We Yusufzais -came down at night and lifted the cattle and raided the villages, and we -laughed at Ranjit Singh's army that followed, for we knew that we had a -good start, and the Sikhs would not venture into the hills. Ah, those -were the good old days! Yet people say they have come again, and that -Delhi is a richer town to loot than Aurungpore." - -The Yusufzai smacked his lips at the prospect. Here, thought Ted, was -another sample of the robbers that apparently formed the backbone of the -Guide Corps. The brightness of the prospect revealed by Faiz Talab's -message was fast fading away, and as the garrison had time to think it -over there came a diminution of enthusiasm. Ted voiced the general -opinion when he abruptly asked: - -"But of what use is a single company against such swarms of rebels and -budmashes, even if they are to be trusted?" - -"But we are the Guides, sahib," said Faiz Talab proudly. - -That self-same day came tidings that more than destroyed the hopes -raised by Jim's letter. Into Aurungpore marched the 138th Bengal Native -Infantry, rebels and murderers, flushed with success. They had shot down -their officers and looted the treasury, to guard which had been their -duty. Dire was the consternation caused by the arrival of the new -contingent, and great was the dismay. - -But when, next morning, our friends noticed that the six 9-pounders of -the fort were being moved by certain of the new-comers into a position -whence their place of refuge could be bombarded, dismay gave place to -utter despair. The sepoys of the 193rd did not understand the handling -of these guns, and had regarded them with some awe as fearsome weapons -that might turn against themselves. But the 138th counted a couple of -hundred Sikhs amongst their number. - -Now the Sikh maharaja, Ranjit Singh, had maintained a splendid force of -artillery, and many of the Sikh sepoys, who had enlisted under British -colours, had previously been gunners in the army of the Khalsa,[6] and -they saw at once how the little garrison might be speedily destroyed. A -few hours' search brought to light a quantity of material that had not -been demolished in the explosion. All day long the exploration went on, -and plenty of ammunition to feed the guns was soon stored close at hand. - - [6] The title of the Sikh Confederacy. - -The time of the expected arrival of the Guides drew nigh. - -"Better that they should not come," Major Munro wearily opined. "They -would only share our fate. What chance would they have against 1500 -trained soldiers?" - -"Do you think they will turn back, sir, when they hear of the arrival of -this fresh lot?" Ted enquired in an anxious tone. - -"I certainly do. It would be foolish--idiotic--to attempt a rescue in -the face of such odds. Were I in your brother's place I should feel it -my duty to government, as well as to my men, not to throw them away on -so helpless an undertaking. It will be very hard for him to leave his -affianced wife in such dreadful peril, but that is one of a soldier's -risks. His men belong to the government, not to him, and he has no -right to risk them where there is no chance. We are short enough of men -as it is." - -Ethel, standing by, grew pale as she thought of the danger to her -beloved. Her own peril, and even her father's, were forgotten for the -moment. - -"Oh, Major Munro," she exclaimed, "let us hope that they will turn back! -They cannot do us good by throwing their own lives away!" - -And this was the opinion of all. - -The devoted Rajputs of Captain Markham's company never for a moment -wavered in their allegiance. They fought and took their turn on guard, -and fought again as staunchly as the white men, and many were the acts -of heroism they displayed. Twice was the staff of the Union Jack, that -still floated above the house, broken by missiles, and on each occasion -some of the intrepid Hindus volunteered to splice the wood. In full -sight of the enemy, who fired wildly at them, they achieved this, and -again the silken folds waved freely in the breeze. - -Again and again the mutineers advanced on every side, with great noise -and waving of weapons. Again and again they approached more peaceably, -shouting to the Hindus that they should come out and join their -comrades, promising them gold and silver in abundance should they -deliver the white men into their hands. - -Each attack was met with steadfast courage; the noisy firing was -answered by a steadier rattle of musketry, and the rebels dropped fast; -unwavering fidelity rejected both bribes and friendly advances; and on -more than one occasion a determined, vigorous sortie was the only reply -vouchsafed by these gallant dark-faces. - -Slowly and anxiously the day wore on. Care-worn faces wistfully regarded -the threatening nine-pounders that would soon begin to pour destruction -upon them. For a moment the attacks ceased as the rebels crowded round -the guns that were placed upon an open eminence overlooking the house. - -Fascinated by the sight, the whole garrison gathered before the windows, -powerless to avert their gaze from the instruments of destruction. - -But what means that sudden commotion--that loud shrill cheering? The mob -is seen to part right and left, the rebel sepoys fling their caps in the -air and wave their muskets excitedly as a body of fine, well-set-up men, -fierce of aspect, turbaned, and clad in drab uniforms, marches into the -courtyard of the fort. Though no word of command is given, the fresh -arrivals there halt, fall out, and at once begin to fraternize with the -mutineers. Behind the tall men appear a score of much smaller figures, -clothed in the same uniform, and these shout and gesticulate more wildly -than any. - -"The Guides!" gasps Lieutenant Leigh. - -"Traitors, by George!" thunders Major Munro, with intense and vehement -bitterness. "Traitors!" - -A long pause followed. The Britons gazed upon one another with blank, -haggard faces. The whole Indian Empire was tumbling down, and none was -loyal! Until this moment not a man amongst them but had known some ray -of hope, however feeble. - -"Are they truly the Guides?" asked one. "Who, then, are the little -beggars?" pointing to the rearmost. - -"Gurkhas of the Guide Corps," answered Leigh, no less bitterly. "And -their officers have always maintained that Gurkhas can be trusted when -all others fail. Well, we live and learn." - -"Aye, we learn,--but not the other," was Munro's grim aside. - -Momentarily forgetting their predicament, Ted stared with great -interest at the short figures and Tartar laces that grinned in fiendish -anticipation; for his father had often spoken in terms of the highest -praise of these reputedly fearless Himalayan mountaineers, against whom -he had fought, and whom he had afterwards led. - -"Well, if those are Gurkhas, I don't think much of 'em," said the -ensign, his critical spirit asserting itself even at this crisis. "Our -seventy Rajputs could tackle a hundred of them." - -As for Faiz Talab, his eyes seemed to be starting from his head. - -"The pigs! the curs!" he gasped at length. "What can it mean?" - -As the Yusufzai spoke he grasped an Enfield rifle, brought it to his -shoulder, and fired at the mass of drab uniforms, then fell to cursing -his comrades afresh for the shame they had brought upon their corps. The -onlookers could distinguish their own disloyal men pointing out the -British stronghold to the Guides, who seemed to be examining the -situation with keen interest. The siege was temporarily raised, whilst a -general confabulation took place among the rebel leaders. - -"Faiz Talab, what have they done to my brother?" asked Ted. - -The Yusufzai shook his head. "I know not," said he. - -"Hadst thou no word or hint of this intended treachery?" - -"Neither word nor hint, sahib. Surely I must be dreaming, for yesterday -we were all loyal to the backbone, and we loved thy brother greatly. I -do not understand it." - -"Yesterday," interposed Lieutenant Leigh, "they had not heard of the -mutiny and entry of the 138th. Perhaps that decided the rascals to throw -over the British raj." - -"It must indeed be so, yet it does not seem possible." - -"Think you they have allowed the Captain Sahib to escape?" asked Alec -Paterson, guessing that Ted could not bring himself to ask this question -for fear of the reply. - -"Nay, that could hardly be. If they have been so base as to prove untrue -to the salt they have eaten, they would not hesitate to kill their -officer." - -"Though you pretend that they loved him?" Ted bitterly demanded. - -"The better reason for slaying him. They would kill him first of all, -because they loved and honoured him, so that he might never know their -shame. Yet I cannot believe it. May my father's grave be defiled if I do -not kill some of the traitors before I die!" - -Ted walked to the window and gazed forth upon the distant hubbub. -Paterson followed, and laid his hand upon the shoulder of his chum. - -"It will be worse for the poor lassie, I'm thinking, Ted," he said. - -Our hero nodded, but could not trust himself to speak. - -"We must keep the news from her as long as we can," Alec continued. "She -is with her father now, and has not heard. The others will not tell -her." - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -In the Clutches of Pir Baksh - - -Three hours after Ensign Russell and Havildar Ambar Singh had entered -the besieged house, a swarthy man in the uniform of a native officer -picked himself tenderly up from the ground, and wondered to find himself -still alive. It was Pir Baksh the subadar. For hours he had lain -unconscious, deaf to the moans of the maimed and dying men who lay -stretched on every side amid the chaos of shattered timber and masonry. - -His right arm was broken, his head bleeding, and the fallen beam that -had caused the fracture had lain all night across his body, bruising him -sorely. He wriggled from underneath, and finding himself too weak to -rise he called loudly for help. - -But what was this thing so soft below him, that had served as a pillow -for his head all night? He passed his hand lightly over the object. It -was a corpse--no, the flesh was warm! He placed his hand on the mouth -and nostrils, and found that there was still breath in the body. His -hand passed higher up until he touched the hair, and Pir Baksh gave a -start. It was one of the two accursed Feringhis to whom he owed the -agony he was now enduring. He sought for a knife, a bayonet, to plunge -again and again into the unconscious body. - -But Pir Baksh changed his mind. No, he would wait until the Englishman -could feel and taste the bitterness of death. Revenge would be as -nothing unless the victim could feel pain as great as his own. He there -and then resolved to save the life of his enemy until he could plan and -carry out his vengeance, for Pir Baksh had less pity than a tiger. - -Again and again he called for help in the name of Allah, and at length -his cries were heard. A few sepoys of his company approached with great -caution, for day had not yet come. - -"Who is there?" they called. - -"It is I, Pir Baksh. Water!--bring me water if ye are followers of the -Prophet!" - -The cry for water from one Mussulman to another cannot be neglected, and -a sepoy ran for a water-skin, while the rest made their way to the -injured officer. - -"All my bones are broken, I think," said he. "Ye have been long in -coming. Look! here is a Feringhi boy still alive. Nay, do not kill him; -he shall die more slowly." - -He drank the water feverishly. - -"Now, carry us to my brother's house, and do not let all the people know -that we have a prisoner, lest in their rage they should straightway kill -him, for I mean to torture him by raising hopes. Bear me gently." - -As they raised him the subadar fainted away. Tynan--for he, of course, -was the Englishman--was still unconscious, and before the light that -precedes the dawn had shown across the sky, the pair had been safely and -secretly conveyed into the house of Muhammed Baksh on the outskirts of -the town. - -The sun had risen and was high in the heavens before Ensign Tynan -recovered consciousness. He raised himself painfully in the creaking -string bed, and gazed in a bewildered manner, like an owl in the -sunshine, around the small unfurnished room in which he lay. The -shutters were closed, darkening the chamber, and, unable to make out -his surroundings, and too weary to attempt to solve the mystery, he -sank down again with a smothered groan. His head was badly cut; he had -lost a lot of blood; and, though no bones were broken, he had hardly a -sound, unbruised spot on his body. The roar of the explosion was ringing -in his ears, and he still shivered with fright. - -For a long time he could not sleep, though, after what seemed to him an -eternity of suffering, he at length fell into a fitful slumber, waking -up between his nightmares in a cold perspiration of dread. - -During one of these intervals the door opened, and a Mohammedan sepoy -entered bearing a little bread and a brass vessel containing water. -Tynan devoured these to the last drop and crumb. - -"Who are you?" he asked the man. "Tell me, where am I?" - -The sepoy answered not a word and left the room. The food and drink had -done the ensign good, brain and body becoming more brisk. He rose -groaning from the bed and tried the door. It was locked, and he -understood at last that he was a prisoner. A tremor ran down his back, -and he felt cold, though the room was like a hothouse. A captive among -the mutineers! Horrible prospect! But why should they have brought him -here? he asked himself. Why not have straightway killed him? Could it be -that they meant to torture him? The wretched boy groaned aloud, and in a -frenzy of rage and despair kicked and beat the door, though every blow -was anguish. - -He had not long to wait. Muhammed Baksh, his host, called angrily to -Ghulam Beg, the silent waiter, and together they entered the room and -began to belabour the unlucky ensign with long bamboo canes. - -Tynan fiercely sprang at his assailants, but being in no condition to -do battle, he was soon driven ignominiously into a corner, where he -cowered and shrieked for mercy. One of his tormentors pointed to the -bed; Tynan crawled upon it, and without having spoken a word the two -quitted the room. - -Again the boy rose and dragged himself towards the window, where his -last spark of hope died out. The shutters were clamped down, and even -had he been fit and strong he could not have removed them without the -aid of tools. He sank down upon the charpoy, a prey to the most -realistic horrors that could be conjured up by a dull imagination. How -long he lay there, miserable in mind and aching all over, he knew not. -It seemed that whole days must have passed before the silent Ghulam Beg -brought in a meagre supper. Worn-out nature then reasserted itself; as -he lay on the bed his aching head seemed to grow larger and larger, -filling all the room, and soon he was lost to consciousness. - -Aroused by the entrance of his breakfast of chupattis and water, he -implored the sepoy to speak to him and let him know his fate. But the -man might have been a mute. Without a word, or gesture, or sign of -comprehension Ghulam Beg left the prison-chamber, and another day of -horror was passed, and a night in which blessed sleep almost forsook the -captive boy. - -The sound of a key creaking in the rusty lock aroused him, and he rose -to his feet as the sepoy attendant brought in the unappetizing fare. -Behind him Pir Baksh stalked in, his arm in a sling, his cruel eyes -leering horribly as he gazed upon his victim. - -"I trust, Ensign Sahib," said he with much politeness, "that my servant -has been courteous and attentive, and has not disturbed your repose by -chattering too much. I am greatly honoured that the heaven-born should -deign to share our humble roof, and I trust that our guest has been -comfortable." - -The unceasing pain and the solitude had taken most of the spirit out of -poor Tynan. Instead of resenting this insolence he implored the brute to -tell him what his fate was to be. - -"Ungrateful Feringhi!" exclaimed the subadar indignantly. "Not a word of -thanks for my hospitality! Art thou aware that I have saved thy life?" - -"Indeed, subadar, I thank you," said Tynan humbly. - -"And I thank thee," said Pir Baksh, pointing to his injured arm, and -continuing: - -"Yea, I thank thee for this, and for many an hour of pain. 'Twas a -clever trick to blow up the arsenal, but thou didst little think, -infidel dog, that there would be a heavy price to pay. Thou didst reject -my offer of terms, and all that I have suffered since, aye, and double -and treble that, thou shalt know before death shall mercifully release -thee." - -Tynan trembled in every limb, and weakly replied: - -"It was not I who blew up the magazine. I was against the deed. And dost -thou not remember, subadar, that I would have surrendered to thee had -not the other prevented me?" - -"Well, he is dead, and thou shalt pay for the sins of thy brother." - -"Nay, spare me, and my father will pay thee well." - -A sudden thought seemed to strike the subadar. He reflected for a few -moments before answering the appeal. - -"Wilt thou swear thou hadst no hand in the explosion?" ha asked, after a -pause. - -"I will--indeed, I swear it." - -"I must needs think it over," said Pir Baksh musingly. He quitted the -room, leaving the boy torn by conflicting emotions. The consciousness -that he had not played a manly part, the conviction that his rival Ted -Russell would never have been so weak, gave a sharper point to his fears -and troubles. On the other hand, had he not been given a faint hope of -escape? Do not judge the lad too harshly. It was not death alone, but -the prospect of torture that had unnerved him; and remember that the -pain of his injuries and the workings of his imagination during the past -two days of solitary confinement were calculated to break the spirit of -any man above the average, and poor Tynan had hardly the makings of a -hero in his character. His case was one for pity rather than contempt. -Only those who would have withstood the temptation have the right to -despise him utterly, and they would be the last to do so. - -His hopes of mercy were misplaced. The amount of that quality nourished -in the breast of Pir Baksh would have shamed a famished wolf. The rascal -had changed his tone because he recollected that the greater his -victim's hopes, the more poignant would his suffering be on finding -himself deceived. Next evening he again visited the prisoner, and -brought paper, pen, and ink. - -"What was that sound of cheering an hour or two ago?" asked Tynan. He -had heard the acclamations that had greeted the arrival of the mutinous -Guides, and wondered if help had come. - -"It means that we have had reinforcements, and that within twelve hours -not one of your friends will be alive." - -Tynan looked keenly at the speaker as he continued. - -"Perhaps there may be one Feringhi left alive in Aurungpore; it depends -on thee. I have been thinking it over, and am inclined to save thy life. -We both hate Russell Sahib, and we may prove useful one to another." - -The prisoner's heart began to beat more hopefully, and he expressed his -thanks towards the callous brute. - -"But on conditions," resumed Pir Baksh. "First, I must have five -thousand rupees--a promise in writing for that amount." - -"You shall have it," said Tynan eagerly. "My father will not grudge it." - -The subadar nodded his head solemnly and went on: - -"Secondly, thou must write me a _chit_ in English and Urdu, -acknowledging that thou dost owe thy life to my mercy and loyalty." - -"I will do that, and never shall I forget thy goodness." - -"Thou shalt also write that I, Pir Baksh, was loyal to the Kumpani -Bahadur, though forced to appear disloyal. That I tried to restrain the -sepoys during the attack on the fortress, and to save the lives of the -English officers, but was prevented by the rebels, who threatened to -kill me as a traitor ... What! Thou dost hesitate?" - -Tynan had turned pale. Could he sign that lying document and be himself -a traitor? Had not Pir Baksh shot the colonel? - -"No, subadar, I cannot do that," he said, with hesitation, not decision. - -"Very good, sahib." - -The fierce light that came into the eyes of Pir Baksh sent a thrill of -despair through Tynan's breast. He began to find excuses. He told -himself that the proposed statement would be partly true, for Pir Baksh -had offered to spare their lives. He caught at that weak saving-clause, -and enlarged upon it until he had almost persuaded himself that he could -only be blamed for exaggeration, not for downright lying. Then he -remembered how Pir Baksh, by shooting the colonel, had brought the -mutiny to pass, and was guilty of all the bloodshed. - -The subadar noted his indecision, and said: - -"There will be none to contradict, your countrymen are as good as dead." - -"I will write as you say," said Tynan slowly, "if you will swear to save -my life." - -He had decided. He was ready to sign a paper absolving this villain from -the reward of his treachery and blood-guiltiness. And the final -inducement had been the assurance that the traitor's plot would be -crowned with such success that all Tynan's compatriots would be slain. -And this was the man he was ready to hold up as a loyal subject fit to -be rewarded for his fidelity! - -"By the Prophet's beard I will do my best to save thee," the subadar -declared. "We must escape from the town, or I too shall suffer the -penalty." - -Seizing pen and ink in feverish haste to get it over, Tynan wrote as the -Mohammedan directed him. First, the promise to pay five thousand rupees -on one sheet of paper, and then a document that might save Pir Baksh -from all consequences of mutiny and murder in the event of his capture -by the British. When he had finished, his gaoler took the pen and wrote -in Urdu at the foot:-- - -"I, Pir Baksh, subadar of the 193rd B.N.I., do solemnly promise, on my -oath as a Moslem, to do my best to effect the escape of Ensign Tynan of -the same regiment, a prisoner among the rebels in Aurungpore. Filled -with admiration of his courage in risking his life in the execution of -his duty by planning and carrying out the blowing up of the magazine, I -also risk my life to save his." - -"But I've already told you I didn't do that," the ensign protested, as -he read the added words. "It was Russell's doing altogether." - -"No need to say so, sahib," said Pir Baksh. "He is dead, and so indeed -will all the Feringhis be to-morrow, and no one can claim the credit. -Russell Sahib I hate, for do I not owe him this broken arm and bloody -head? And if I mistake not, he is no friend of thine, so why not take -the credit of the deed and be promoted and raised to honour? Help me, -sahib, and I will help thee." - -Tynan found nothing to say in reply. He remembered the many injuries he -fancied he had received at Russell's hands--the thrashing of a week or -two ago, the contempt with which he had been treated in the fort when -his junior took the command from him and threatened him in front of the -men. Why not pay him out? After all, what did it matter now? It could be -put right if necessary when he should have reached a place of safety. -The first consideration was to save his own life. - -"We shall slip away to-morrow," said the subadar. "I will go and make -all arrangements now. Remember that my life also is sacrificed if we are -discovered." - -So saying the double traitor took his leave. Outside the door he -chuckled grimly and proceeded to tear up the "promise to pay" the five -thousand rupees. For a very good reason he had no intention of claiming -that, but the other papers he carefully preserved. After the boy had -been murdered, he could easily make up some story and fabricate some -evidence to show that they had been followed and attacked, and that he -escaped by the skin of his teeth, more alive than dead, and never saw -the ensign again. Pir Baksh meant to run with the hare and hunt with the -hounds so long as the British held their own. - -But most of all he meant to kill Harry Tynan. - -Left to himself Ensign Tynan sat down upon the string bed, and leant -forward to think it all over, elbows on knees and his chin resting in -the palm of his right hand. As a rule he was not a very thoughtful -person, but the nightmare of the past few days might well effect a -change. Of habit, not of character though! Peril, suffering, and anxiety -may develop the good or bad that is there already, but will hardly -transform a weak character into a strong one. - -For a long time the boy sat motionless, wondering what Pir Baksh really -meant. Was he genuine? Did he mean to save him? Tynan did not trust the -man, yet he assured himself again and again that the Mohammedan must be -intending to try, or why should he have demanded the promise of a -reward--a document useless unless he was actually saved. And what about -that other paper? Ted Russell would never have signed it, conscience -whispered. - -"I only wish Russell was here instead of me," he muttered, and gave the -bedstead a vicious kick. - -"But he's dead," came a reminder from his better self, and there -followed a recollection of the statement added by the subadar, the lie -that robbed the dead of the credit of a glorious deed. - -"Everything seems to go wrong with me," he sullenly muttered. "I've no -luck like other people. Never mind, it's not of much consequence. What -I've got to think about is how to get out of this hole. I believe after -all that that black brute means to murder me. Well, I'll try to sleep on -it." - -He lay down, and an idea occurred to him. Rising to his feet he knelt -down in the attitude of prayer. Hardly ever since he had left home for -school had he so much as made believe to pray for help and guidance, but -now he wondered he had not thought of it before. Had he lived two or -three hundred years ago he would have vowed invaluable offerings to the -shrine of his patron saint, and, the danger over, would as promptly have -forgotten to fulfil the vow. - -Parrot-like, he repeated the Lord's Prayer without considering in the -least its meaning, and then he prayed wildly to be saved from death. But -not once did he dream of asking earnestly for forgiveness, not once did -he seriously repent his foolish, harmful life, nor did he make the least -resolve to cancel in the morning the lies to which he had signed his -name that night. - -He rose from his knees and once more lay down. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -The Treachery of the Guides - - -The shadows were slowly lengthening, and the whistling of the kites that -circled overhead, waiting until the groups of sepoys should disperse, -was being supplemented by the querulous howls of the equally impatient -jackals. Yet no fresh attack had been made upon the English post, though -more than an hour had passed since the Guides had joined forces with the -mutineers. That they had not been idle, however, was testified by the -stack of round-shot and grape rescued from the fort and piled ready to -hand behind each cannon. - -A guard had been mounted over the guns and ammunition to check any -desperate sortie that might be made by the besieged, and the town -gradually became less riotous. This restoration of order only -intensified the despair of the Europeans, who drew the conclusion that -the rebels were now being controlled by men more able--and therefore -more dangerous--than their late leaders. The more capable their enemies, -the more perilous the situation of the garrison. - -That is, if anything more perilous could be imagined. - -Just after sunset, and before darkness had set in, a Hindu sepoy was -observed creeping stealthily towards the house, apparently anxious to -attract the attention of the inmates, and equally bent on avoiding -observation from outside. As the man drew near, Ambar Singh and Ted both -recognized him as Dwarika Rai, one of their comrades in the arsenal. He -was quickly smuggled inside, and told the story of his escape from -death and concealment up to the present, when duty had urged him at all -risks to inform his comrades and the Englishmen of the changed -situation. - -He explained that the detachment of the Guides had mutinied as soon as -they heard of the arrival of the 138th; they had murdered the only white -officer with them, and had appointed Ressaidar Bahram Khan as -commandant. The announcement was not unexpected, yet up to this moment -Ted had hoped against hope that Jim had escaped. - -"Art thou certain, Dwarika Rai, that they have slain my brother?" he -asked after a painful pause. - -"Quite, sahib; they make boast of it. And look, their leader is wearing -his uniform." - -Ethel Woodburn had entered the room unobserved, and, standing behind -them, had overheard. She grasped a chair to steady herself, and shook -her head as Ted besought her to retire to the ladies' room. There was a -long silence. - -"Bahram Khan?" enquired the major presently, hardly knowing what to say. -"Is that he, then, in the English officer's uniform and wearing his -medals?" pointing to a muscular man who could be made out in the -distance apparently ordering the sepoys about. - -"That is the hound, sahib," replied Dwarika Rai. "He has sworn to -exterminate you all before noon to-morrow. He has taken command of all -the treacherous curs." - -Ethel, half-stunned by the terrible tidings, was now seated, and Ted -leaned against the girl's chair, gently stroking her hand,--dimly -recognizing that her sorrow was even greater than his own. The shock of -Captain Russell's murder was too sudden for her to realize fully, and -the rest of the news seemed dwarfed to mere insignificance. The poor -girl attempted to pull herself together by thinking how greatly her -helpless father stood in need of her. - -"Bahram Khan!" said Ted bitterly. "Why, he is the cur who was present at -the steeple-chase,--a robber and outlaw! However could such a crew have -been trusted?" - -"It was Sir Henry Lawrence's doing," said Leigh. "It's rare for him to -make a mistake, but here is the result of his great 'Guides' scheme. -Evidently they don't mean to make the grand assault until to-morrow." - -"I wish they would," said Ted with feeling; "and end it, to-night." - -To give the boy credit, he was thinking more of the hours of bitter -grief Ethel Woodburn was doomed to endure than of himself. - -It may be readily surmised that very few of the garrison contrived to -sleep that night. Soon after sunrise all--women, civilians, black -soldiers, and white officers--were gathered together to watch the -mutineers assemble for the final assault. Of its issue there could be no -doubt. As they stood there awaiting their fate Ethel Woodburn could not -remain insensible, even at so trying a moment, to the beauty of the -early Indian morning. The slanting rays of the Eastern sun were gilding -the mosques and minarets of the town and lighting up with lurid glow the -reddish buildings behind the fort, and the thought of Nature's beauty -added to her sorrow. But the greater number of those doomed people had -weightier matters to occupy their thoughts. - -In and around the courtyard of the fort itself all was bustle and -confusion; some could be both seen and heard giving commands, and others -obeying the same, though the vast majority of the assembled hundreds -appeared to display a total lack of discipline. Inside the -commissioner's house the feeling of helplessness and suspense was -horrible. The wisdom of a sortie, a mad rush on the guns,--to die -fighting rather than cooped up and made a target of,--was debated, and -not a man there but would have preferred the chance of striking back. -There were women, however, to be considered, and to leave them was out -of the question. - -"Whilst there's life there's hope," declared the Commissioner, with an -attempt at cheerfulness. "The house is not destroyed yet." - -He barely succeeded, however, in convincing even himself that there was -the faintest glimmer of hope. No British troops were within three days' -journey. The handful of unfortunates bade good-bye to one another, shook -hands all round, and prepared to meet their death with a smile upon -their faces, without flinching or showing the least sign of weakness -before the eyes of their gallant and devoted Rajputs. Nor were the women -behind the men in respect of courage. - -Major Munro, after consulting his officers, had advised the faithful -sepoys to save their lives as best they could, either by cutting their -way through at night, or by pretending to desert and to fall in with the -views of their rebel comrades. - -To give them this chance was only fair, thought the major; the Rajputs, -having done their duty, deserved consideration, and though the -Englishmen could not leave the wounded and the women, yet the -dark-faces, now that resistance was hopeless, should be allowed to save -their lives. To Munro's delight, however, the gallant fellows announced -a firm resolve to stand by their duty to the last. They took their -places shoulder to shoulder with the pale-faces, grimly waiting and -watching now that the last glimmer of hope had died out. - -For in the great square of the fort more than two thousand men were -under arms; and in another moment the nine-pounders were charged with -grape, under the supervision of Bahram Khan and a score of picked Sikhs -and Pathans of the Guide Corps--men who had served in the old Khalsa -Artillery and who thoroughly understood their work. - -Behind the guns and flanking them the remaining hundred men of the -Guides, conspicuous by their powerful and soldierly bearing, maintained -some appearance of discipline, whereas the majority of the sepoys and of -armed fanatics and budmashes were acting as seemed best in their own -eyes. - -Ressaidar Bahram Khan, however, insisted with many threats and much -strong language on some kind of order being maintained. He placed the -193rd Sepoys in one position, the poorbeahs[7] of the 138th in another, -and the Sikhs of the latter corps to the right front of the guns. - - [7] A name given to the Oudh sepoys. - -"When the guns have battered down the walls," thundered the rebel -commandant, "then must ye take the house by storm. The Feringhi dogs -prevail against us because they trust to the bayonet, instead of staying -to fire as ye do, for the bayonet is more certain than the bullet. We -must learn from them and attack as they would, for our aim must be to -destroy utterly the hated tyrants; not one must escape our vengeance." - -The mob applauded, shouting "Din! din! Death to the Feringhis!" And the -ressaidar went on: - -"Take, then, the charges from your muskets, lest ye be tempted to stop -and fire, for if ye do that doubtless many of the dogs may escape our -wrath. Trust to the bayonet! Kill the infidels with the steel! Now, -unload!" - -The charges were withdrawn. - -"That dacoit fellow has some idea of discipline; he seems to know what -he's about,--though he's placing some of his men in queer positions, to -be sure!" commented Major Munro stoutly, bent on showing an undaunted -front to the end. - -"Oh for a good, wholesome, red-coated regiment," sighed Lieutenant -Leigh, "to wipe these fiends off the earth! Watch that treacherous, -murdering Pathan! What's he up to now?" - -"Trusting to the bayonet!" exclaimed Munro in astonishment. "That's not -like an Asiatic, but he's right." - -They heard but could not distinguish Bahram Khan's commands, and saw the -sepoys empty their muskets and begin to fix bayonets. Their hearts were -beating wildly, and small shame to them, for they were helpless and -could not strike back--as helpless as condemned criminals bound and -gagged. Would the word never be given to fire? What was the matter now? - -Waiting in silent agony for the fatal word, they perceived the Pathan -commandant turn hastily to his gunners, who stood port-fire in hand. - -Quick as thought, before rebels or onlookers could realize what was -taking place, the muzzles of the guns were turned slightly to the right -and lowered, and ere the assemblage had time to wonder, a shower of -grape was belched forth into the clustered ranks of the faithless Sikhs -of the 138th. At the very same instant, before sepoys or besieged were -able to take in what had happened, the hundred men of the Guides--or as -many of them as were not helping their gunner comrades--brought their -rifles (for theirs were still loaded) to the shoulder, and blazed away -into the helpless mass of brown humanity. The rebels fell in scores, -mown down by the heavy discharge. One or two of the native officers -attempted to rally them, but the cannon, well and promptly served by the -Guides, cut lanes through the mob; and the well-aimed, disciplined -volley-firing of the Pathans and Gurkhas augmented the confusion. - -For some seconds open-mouthed wonder kept all our friends silent. The -whole world seemed topsy-turvy. - -Then one man grasped the situation. - -"Oh, splendid!... Well played, Guides, well played!" shouted Leigh; and -the garrison screamed and danced in a delirium of enthusiasm as their -senses came back to them, and they understood. - -"What is it? What does it mean?" demanded Ethel breathlessly and the -sick from the hospital-room echoed the cry. - -"It's the Guides!" was shouted back. "The Guides have been shamming -mutiny. They've got possession of the guns, and have turned them on the -traitors!" - -Thrice did the mutineers attempt a rally, but the Sikhs--the staunchest -of the rebels--had been almost blown away by the discharge of grape, and -the poorbeahs dared not face that terrible fire--those spurts of flame -that blazed forth, section by section, without hurry and without -confusion, from the steady, levelled rifles. - -In the Commissioner's house the Pathan messenger howled and shrieked in -his excitement, then, snatching up rifle and sword, he darted from the -sheltering walls and cut his way through the terrified rebels to the -side of his comrades. - -"Look!" cried Lieutenant Leigh. "Bahram Khan has given aver the -command--to a private soldier, too!" - -He pointed towards a dark-visaged man, of middle height and sturdy -build, in the uniform of a sepoy of the Guide Corps, who was now -directing the sectional volley-firing. At the same moment the mutineers -broke away in all directions--two thousand men cowed by six score! - -"Why, that's Jim!--that's my brother!" screamed our ensign joyfully. -Ethel gave one look, recognized the long scar that showed on the stained -face, and sank down, and to Ted's bewilderment burst into tears. - -"Well, that's a rummy go!" he murmured under his breath. "What on earth -should she blub for now that she knows he's safe?" - -As the flying, panic-stricken mutineers approached the beleaguered -house, they received a fresh and hardly less deadly fusillade from the -jubilant garrison. They scattered in all directions, staggering in -blind terror. Through the narrow streets ran and stumbled the defeated -sepoys, and after them rushed fifty of the terrible men in drab, the -active little Gurkhas being ever to the front. So thorough was the panic -evoked by the surprise, that here and there a dozen or even a score of -the rebels might be seen running with terrified eyes and panting breath -from a single fierce Afridi or Yusufzai of the hills, or still fiercer -Gurkha from the Himalayan snows; and Ted acknowledged his error of -judgment as he saw one of these little Nepalese Highlanders charge -single-handed a group of ten or a dozen Wahabi fanatics who were -attempting a rally. Cutting down four in rapid succession with his -kukri, heeding the long knives no more than cardboard, the fearless -little fellow scattered the remainder like sheep, and chased them until -their long legs carried them far out of his reach. - -Up flew the Union Jack to the top of the fort flagstaff, and Captain -Russell, recalling his pursuing men, posted guards around the place. The -loyal Rajputs, rejoicing now that they had not accepted Major Munro's -permission to desert, had not dared join in the fray except by their -fire from windows and roof, for had they shown themselves outside they -would undoubtedly have been slain by the rescuers. - -But now the little garrison marched out in safety, carrying the wounded -in their midst, for not a rebel was to be seen. Never had surprise been -more complete! At the same moment Captain Russell issued forth at the -head of half his men to escort the survivors inside the wing of the fort -that had not been demolished. - -There was no time for more than a hasty grip of the hand and a look -exchanged between two pairs of eyes, telling more eloquently than any -speech of the lips its tale of love, anxiety, and deep, grateful joy. -Ethel had thought her lover dead; Jim had hardly dared to hope that both -sweetheart and brother had survived the massacre. We can imagine the -unspoken joy. Leaving Leigh and Ted with a strong guard within the fort, -Munro, Captain Russell, and Paterson sallied forth at the head of one -hundred and fifty Guides and no less eager Rajputs, and chased the -panic-filled pandies from street to street to prevent them from -reassembling. Long before mid-day the rebels had streamed out of the -town in all directions, a wholesome fear planted deep within their -breasts. - -One room had been apportioned to the ladies, and others to officers and -sepoys, but all the Europeans came together to cheer their rescuers. -Colonel Woodburn was now well enough to greet his future son-in-law, -whose exciting story all gathered round to hear. Jim told it simply. - -"Well, for a gang of double-dyed traitors commend me to the Guides and -their English and native officers!" exclaimed Munro, his eyes twinkling -with delight at the thought of the trick. - -"All Bahram Khan's idea," laughed Jim. "We'd sent scouts ahead, and -yesterday we heard of the arrival of the 138th and learned that they -possessed artillery. I felt that I'd no right to risk my handful against -such overwhelming odds, so I consulted the ressaidar[8]. That gentlemen -also thought the task hopeless at first, then he suddenly burst out into -a demoniacal laugh. - - [8] A native officer of cavalry. - -"'Why, Captain Sahib,' said he,'why shouldn't we mutiny? We could kill -you and make friends with the poorbeahs. Then I'd take command of the -rebels--the curs will only be too glad to have me--and I could get -possession of the guns and post the men as I choose. With our men at the -guns and behind the guns, we can sweep the poorbeahs from off the -earth!' - -"It was a glorious idea; we explained it to the men, who took it in like -so many school-boys. Those little Gurkha fiends turned somersault as -they thought of the pandies[9] being taken in; and they laughed till the -tears rolled down their smooth cheeks. I stained my face and put on one -of the men's uniforms, whilst Bahram Khan squeezed himself into mine, -and everything worked beautifully." - - [9] A nickname for rebels. Mongul Pandy was the name of the - first noted mutineer. - -"And did no one suspect?" asked the major. - -"Not a soul! You see, there never were such rabid haters of the British -as we have been for the past twenty-four hours! We were quite willing to -eat you all, either cooked or raw; no half-measures with the Guides!" - -"You disgustin' treacherous brutes!" chirped our ensign, who was in a -state of wild and gleeful excitement. - -Bahram Khan stood by, grinning, well pleased with his handiwork, as were -all these stalwart soldiers of the Guide Corps. Jim Russell's story -ended, the deputy-commissioner passed his arm through Munro's, and, -announcing that he wished to consult him with respect to granting a -reward to the loyal Rajputs, he led the major from the room. The remark -was accompanied by a significant look, and, taking the hint, the -remaining officers made some excuse to leave. - -The ladies saw and understood, and in a few moments Jim and Ethel were -left alone. They were grateful, yet for some moments not a word was -uttered by either. The precious time was not exactly wasted, though. - -"My poor girl, what you must have suffered!" Jim murmured as he held her -hands within his own and fondled them. - -"Are you really here, Jim, or am I dreaming? It seems too good to be -true." - -"I think I really am here," was the reply, and Jim set to work to -convince her. - -"You have heard how poor Markham was killed, and Tynan and Lewis and -Arden?" - -Jim nodded and tightened his grip of the hands until she winced. - -"What a brute I am!" he penitently exclaimed, covering the little hands -with kisses. - -"I--I liked it, Jim.---- But you know you oughtn't to reward yourself -for being a brute." - -There was another interval of silence. - -"And so the young 'un has behaved like a brick!" said Jim at length. -"I'm proud of the kid." - -"I should just think he has. I really believe I shall have to marry you, -Captain Russell, if only to have Ted for a brother. I think he likes me -now." - -"I'll punch the young 'un's head if he doesn't," declared the brutal -Jim. "It's very decent of the others to give us this good time, little -woman." - -"It is, indeed. Oh, Jim, are you sure we're not dreaming? Can you stay -here with your men?" - -The captain shook his head sadly. - -"I don't know what to do until I have consulted Munro and Fletcher and -your father. We must follow the rest of the corps as quickly as -possible, and I think the best plan will be for you all to come with us, -if we can obtain horses and ekkas for the wounded and the ladies, until -we can drop you at the first safe place." - -"Cannot Sir Arthur, as head of the district, countermand your orders to -join the Guide Corps at once? If he says that you are needed here, I -should think he has authority to detain you. Besides, you and your men -are now under father, or rather under Major Munro, whilst you remain -here, and you will have to do as they order." - -Jim laughed. - -"I wish it were so; but it happens to be John Lawrence himself who has -sent us to Delhi, and he said he wanted us to get there quickly. And -when Jan Larens says 'do this' you've got to do it, and do it smartly. -The major is a brave man, and so is Fletcher, but I shall be very much -surprised if either of them dare trifle with Jan." - -Major Munro had assembled the loyal Rajputs and thanked them in a -straight soldierly speech that touched their faithful hearts and brought -a glow of pride to their eyes. The Commissioner, moreover, deemed it -well to let congratulations take a more substantial form. He therefore -distributed the sum of five thousand rupees amongst the seventy -survivors--a welcome reward for their loyalty and courage. - -On the following morning Jim's anxiety and hesitation were removed, as a -detachment of the 4th Sikhs--a glorious, loyal regiment--marched in and -maintained order in the town. - -Miss Woodburn's safety being thus assured, Captain Russell at once set -out to rejoin his comrades in their seven hundred and fifty miles' march -to the Mogul capital, and, to the delight of Ted and Paterson, the -colonel allowed the boys to accompany the gallant corps. - -We shall hear later on of that memorable march of the Corps of Guides to -Delhi--the finest march in Indian history, if not indeed in the records -of any army--as well as of their doings during the famous siege. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -Tynan makes his Choice - - -The door of Tynan's prison opened and the captive's heart beat wildly. -Was it life or death? Only Ghulam Beg bringing his chupatties and water. - -"Where is Pir Baksh?" he enquired. "I want to see him." - -"The Subadar Sahib has gone out," replied the sepoy, leaving the room -before any other questions could be asked. Tynan turned to his humble -fare and regarded it with disgust. He felt wronged that he should be fed -so meanly by the man he was to reward so handsomely. It was all there -was, however, and hard bread was better than nothing, so he devoured it -to the last crumb. - -What was that? The loud booming of cannon roused him to his feet, an -Englishman again, and he made desperate attempts to force open the -shutters. The sharper crack and rattle of musketry--volley upon -volley--followed the booming of the guns; then the cannon spoke again, -and loud cries of alarm, exhortation, and triumph filled the air. - -Surely it must be a rescue! He stamped up and down the narrow chamber -like a caged wild beast, fuming and raging. Still no one came; he -shrieked and stormed in vain. - -His suspense was not for long. The door was flung open, and Pir Baksh, -followed by his brother, Muhammad Baksh, Ghulam Beg, and another sepoy, -rushed into the room. Tynan assumed an attitude of defence. - -"Fool!" cried the subadar, anger and impatience in his voice. "I am -come to save you. Quick! put on these clothes." - -He flung down the garments of a sepoy, and Tynan hesitated. Why was Pir -Baksh so excited? There was fear also in his eyes. - -"What mean the noise of cannon, Pir Baksh?" he demanded. - -"Quick, on with the uniform or we shall all be slain!" the Moslem -angrily replied. "The rebels are mad, and they suspect that I have saved -a Feringhi, and will soon be here, though I know not who has told them. -The noise thou didst hear was the cannon with which they have utterly -destroyed the house of the Commissioner Sahib, and they have killed -every man, woman, and child therein. Hasten! Hasten! In the name of the -Prophet, hasten or thou art lost, and I too for being so foolish as to -help thee!" - -Another bitter disappointment for the lad. Hurriedly doffing the uniform -of his rank and donning the disguising raiment, he followed his four -warders outside, and away from the town--and from safety--the wild yells -becoming fainter and fainter. - -Presently the subadar turned into a road that led northeastwards, and -slackened the pace to a walk, neither he nor his prisoner being in fit -condition to run far. They walked on and on at a quick swinging stride, -every step causing intense pain. Though Tynan begged them to rest -awhile, Pir Baksh refused. His limbs and body had been rubbed and -anointed; his bruises were nearly healed, and the rate of marching did -not affect his broken arm. The lad's anguish was pitiful to see. - -"Have we not gone far enough?" whispered one of the sepoys at last. "Let -us halt here and put the cub to death. There is no one to interrupt." - -The subadar was not so sure. The fact that he, Pir Baksh, had contrived -to get hold of one of the Feringhi officers was not such a secret as he -had led Tynan to believe, and he knew that some of his neighbours, in -order to curry favour with the winning side, would probably impart the -news to the Commissioner Sahib. Being an arrant coward he feared lest a -rescue party should be following on his trail, and he knew what trackers -the Gurkhas were. Until his anxiety on this head should be lifted, he -did not mean to rid himself of his hostage. - -He pressed the party forward until close upon sunset, when Tynan was -absolutely incapable of another step. The heat had told upon his wasted -strength, and he was on the point of fainting. Nothing save the hope of -escape could have kept him up so long. They halted in a small clearing -among the trees. - -"For heaven's sake, subadar, let me have something to eat!" - -"I think the place will suit our purpose," Pir Baksh observed, calmly -ignoring the boy's request. - -The words and tone struck Tynan as a whip-lash across the face. He -looked round for a way of escape, and his arms were seized from behind. - -Unnecessary precaution! He was much too weak to resist, and Ghulam Beg -threw him roughly to the ground. Pir Baksh contemptuously kicked his -fallen enemy. - -"Fool!" he snarled. "Didst thou think to escape my vengeance so easily?" - -The wretched boy saw the look of hatred in the brute's eyes, and felt -that he was doomed. There was no hope of mercy there. He knew at last -that the blackguard's object had been to increase his misery by raising -his hopes, and the vile scheme had succeeded. - -"Remember your oath," the ensign gasped. "Remember the reward, Pir -Baksh." - -"And dost thou think," the traitor retorted with an air of virtue that -sat badly upon his vicious face, "dog of an unbeliever, that we of the -Faith would sell our souls for money?" - -Again he kicked the prostrate Tynan. - -"In what manner shall we slay him?" asked Muhammad Baksh. - -"Bury him alive," suggested Ghulam Beg. - -"With our bayonets?" sneered the third sepoy. "Let us talk sense." - -"Tie him to yonder tree, then," said Tynan's late attendant, "and make a -target of him. Fire first at hands and feet and legs and arms." - -"Aye, and make a noise that may be heard for miles?" the leader angrily -retorted. - -Pir Baksh had his reasons for wishing to put his victim away more -quietly. In a state of abject terror Tynan listened to the horrible -suggestions. The nightmare of suspense and despair experienced in his -prison chamber was as nothing to this. - -"I have a better plan," said the subadar quietly. "Ye will tie him hand -and foot to yonder tree, gag his mouth, and leave him there. There will -be little left of him in the morning except bare bones, and clever as -the Feringhis are, they will find no mark of knife or bullet should they -chance to come across what is left. Ye have the cords. Tie him up." - -Tynan shouted for help until a cloth was bound over his mouth. Then the -frenzy of despair lent him strength, but the struggle was short, and he -was quickly pushed and pulled towards the tree indicated by Pir Baksh. - -Something moved in the undergrowth behind, and a squat little man -stepped into the light. A musket was in his hand, and a grin upon his -hairless face. In an unknown tongue he addressed a question to the men -who held the struggling Tynan, and being regarded with a stare of -mingled amazement and terror, he peered into the face of the captive. -Then the grin died out of his face, for he saw the white skin of an -Englishman and understood. - -Again he jabbered in the strange language, then quick as thought he drew -from its scabbard a curved knife, whose keen broad blade flashed thrice -like a heliograph as it caught the slanting rays of the disappearing -sun. The sepoys had let go their hold of Tynan, and had raised their -muskets, but before the triggers could be pulled the vicious kukri blade -had descended twice, and the traitors sank on the sward, cut through the -shoulder. - -Crack went the musket of Muhammad Baksh, and a bullet skimmed over the -cap of the ugly little stranger. Before the echo had died away an -answering report rang out, and as Muhammad Baksh paid the penalty of his -treachery, a second Gurkha stepped from behind a tree-trunk within -fifteen paces of Pir Baksh. The subadar turned and ran. - -"Shoot, brother!" sang out the Gurkha, whose musket was empty. - -The first-comer's weapon was already covering the runagate. He pulled -the trigger, and when the smoke had rolled away, there lay the -arch-traitor writhing upon the ground, alternately calling down curses -upon the little mountain demons who had frustrated him, and calling upon -the Englishman for mercy. Evidently he was not very badly wounded, or he -could not have made so much noise. - -The Gurkhas trotted towards him with bared knives, and though the -Mohammedan still held his loaded musket the little hillmen never -hesitated. Pir Baksh was consistent in his cowardice. Dropping the -weapon he held up his hands in token of surrender, and called upon Tynan -Sahib to save him from the fiends. - -Harry Tynan had barely realized what had happened, and what a very -narrow squeak he had had. - -"Do not kill him!" he shouted in Urdu, as he limped towards the wounded -savage. He wanted to see what Pir Baksh would have to say for himself -before he handed him over to be hanged or blown away. The fact must be -admitted that Tynan meant to gloat over the failure of the subadar's -vile plans. - -The Gurkhas did not understand the words, but they divined his meaning. - -"Sahib," implored the subadar, "save me from these demons. I spared your -life, so do not leave me to be murdered." - -"You spared my life!" Tynan indignantly repeated. "You mean you brought -me here to torture me." - -"Sahib, you wrong me. I did but pretend. I had no influence over those -three curs who lie dead--praised be Allah!--and they insisted on slaying -you. They would have murdered me had I not feigned to fall in with their -plans, and we must all safeguard our own lives first. But I meant to -save you, and that is why I rejected their proposals as to the manner of -death. I would have tied you to the tree, and, after giving them the -slip in the darkness, would have returned to set you free." - -"But you kicked me and spat upon me." - -"That was to remove their suspicions. The more I seemed to hate you the -more easy would it be to help you." - -Not being a particularly intelligent youth, Tynan began to think there -might be something in what the subadar said. - -"Well, thou art my prisoner now, and for the present I will save thy -life. Where is thy wound?" - -"Indeed, sahib, I fear they have slain me." - -Pir Baksh placed his hand to his leg and indicated the nature of the -wound. One of the Gurkhas bent down, sliced off some of the cloth with -his kukri, and burst out laughing. - -"The _kafar_ (coward)!" he cried to his companions. - -The bullet had grazed the rebel's thigh, tearing off a little strip of -skin. Feeling the sharp sting, Pir Baksh had clapped his hand to the -spot and drawn it away covered with blood. Concluding that he was done -for, he had tumbled over and howled. - -"Get up!" said Tynan brusquely. "You're not hurt." - -Turning to the Gurkhas he motioned them to lead the way. Picking up the -four muskets, the party set forth, the prisoner in the midst rendered -very unhappy by the knowledge that a loaded musket was within a few -inches of his backbone, and he dreaded carelessness on the part of the -Gurkha. The precaution was unnecessary, for the roaring lion of half an -hour ago was now as harmless as a dove. - -An hour's walk brought them within sight of camp fires, and before long -they had passed the sentries, and Tynan was in the commandant's tent. He -was a small wiry man of about twenty-five, tough as whip-cord. - -"Hullo!" he cried, holding a lantern above his head so that the light -fell full upon Tynan's face. "Who are you?" - -"Ensign Tynan of the 193rd. I've just been rescued from a gang of -cut-throats by these two men of yours. They tackled four and killed -three." - -"Take the prisoner to the guard-tent." - -The Gurkha saluted and retired, and the officer continued: "Now, Mr. -Tynan, you'll be hungry, so just fall to. If you'd come half an hour ago -there would have been a better spread." - -"I'm very hungry, thanks. What force is yours?" - -"Oh, I beg your pardon! I'm Captain Hornby of the Kumaon Gurkha -Battalion. I've a hundred men here, and we are _en route_ for Sadalpur. -We are expecting orders from John Lawrence--for Delhi, I hope. I won't -listen to your tale until you've finished." - -The meal over, the fugitive narrated his adventures since the outbreak -of the mutiny until the moment of his rescue. When he came to the -account of the explosion he hesitated, and finally said: "We decided to -blow it up rather than allow it to fall into the hands of the rebels." - -Ted Russell had also used the word "we", but from what different -motives! - -"You were senior officer?" questioned the captain. - -"Yes." - -"Good!" Hornby held out his hand. "I'm proud to shake hands with you. I -heard a rumour yesterday that the Aurungpore arsenal had been blown up." - -Harry Tynan felt ready to sink into the ground with shame. His hand fell -limp from the grasp, and he hastily resumed his story. - -"I can't make up my mind about Pir Baksh," he said. "He may have been -only pretending to fall in with the views of the majority, but if so, he -was a very good actor." - -"You've had a rough time, youngster, so just lie down and sleep as well -as you can. There's my mattress, and I'll get another. Good-night! I'm -going the rounds." - -The camp was astir soon after sunrise. Hornby asked how the ensign had -slept, and explained that the two rescuers had informed him how they had -tracked the party and followed them for nearly a mile, but had not been -able to fathom their proceedings until they had seen the white skin. -Pir Baksh was conducted before Captain Hornby to be examined with regard -to his share in the mutiny. Before any questions could be asked, the -traitor drew forth the documents signed by Tynan, and handed them to the -Gurkha officer. - -"There, sahib, they will prove I am a true man. Tynan Sahib has reason, -I admit, to doubt me, and I should have whispered my intentions to him -as we ran away, had not my comrades kept close at hand all the time, -being suspicious." - -Captain Hornby read the papers, and regarded the ensign with a puzzled -expression. - -"This is your signature?" he asked; and Tynan, who was nervously toying -with his sword-hilt, stammered an admission of the fact. - -"H'm! It certainly seems that the fellow's story is true, though I don't -like his looks. However, if he tried to save your lives and to restrain -his comrades, it looks as if he really meant to be loyal, does it not?" - -Tynan agreed that it did, and as he recollected how the treacherous -subadar, now bowing and salaaming with an ingratiating smile, had shot -down his colonel and helped to murder Lowthian, he cursed the lies he -had signed. Yet he had not the moral courage to disavow them, and so lay -himself open to the charge of cowardice. - -"And of course," went on the captain, "of course he treated you badly in -the house in order to allay the suspicions of his men, who might -otherwise have murdered you. It was rough on you, but probably for the -best." - -Tynan acquiesced with a nod, and felt very uncomfortable. Hornby read -for a second time the note added by Pir Baksh, and said: - -"I see why you hesitated when you were speaking of the explosion, and I -respect your modesty. So it was your plan to blow up the magazine, and -no wonder he admired you for it. The other ensign was killed, I -suppose?" - -"Yes; I think I am the only one saved." - -"Poor beggar! Well, you must stop with us until I can hand you and the -prisoner to Colonel Bratherton at Jehanabad. These papers should -certainly save him from death, and I should say that he deserves a -reward." - -Tynan looked utterly miserable, and there is no reason to doubt that he -was. How he wished he had never signed that fatal paper! How he wished -he had had the pluck to tell the whole story to Hornby last night, -admitting that he was half-mad with pain and fear when he signed the -statement! But no; he had lied to Hornby then, and had backed up the lie -in the morning through cowardice, and the wretched boy now resolved that -the easier course would be to stick to the lie. No one could contradict -him now, except the subadar. As the thought occurred to him that Pir -Baksh knew the truth, and that unless he, Tynan, was prepared to state -on oath at the trial that was bound to take place, that the subadar had -saved his life and attempted to save them all--unless he did that, the -prisoner could and would ruin him, he groaned to himself and kicked -viciously at the nearest object. One lie had led to another and yet -another, and he had made a net for himself, from whose entanglement he -saw no way of escape. - -Yet, bad as the prospect seemed to him, he little guessed the real state -of affairs. - -And Pir Baksh understood as well as he. As this hopeful gentleman had -been led back to the guard-tent he had winked slyly at the ensign, -clearly intimating that they would stand or fall together. It was a -sickening thought. Having had time to think it over, Tynan felt sure -that Pir Baksh had meant to murder him, and he bitterly regretted having -moved a finger to save him from the Gurkhas. He had not even the -consolation of thinking that he had shown mercy to an enemy, for he had -only saved him then in order to have him hanged. - -Ten minutes later camp was struck, and they moved off towards -Jehanabad. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -The March of the Guide Corps - - -Four days after Jim and Ted Russell and Alec Paterson had set out from -Aurungpore with the detachment of the Guides, they overtook the -head-quarters of their regiment. The rapid rate of marching, the -excitement of recent events, and the prospect of taking part in the -assault on the capital of Hindustan and in the crushing of the mutiny, -had proved sufficiently exhilarating to keep up the spirits and health -of the boys in spite of the great heat. - -Both Ted and Alec had been provided with horses before leaving -Aurungpore, "Tommy Dodd" having been stolen by some budmashes; and they -found the march enjoyable at times, especially in the cool of the -morning before the sun had mounted high, and on moonlight evenings. Of -course their detachment was lightly equipped, and had little impedimenta -to carry, whereas the rest of the corps had to drag along and guard -their tents, commissariat, baggage, and ammunition, otherwise they would -never have been overtaken. - -Right across the vast Punjab swept the famous corps of Guides, through -shady groves of peach and apricot trees, and over dusty plains destitute -of shelter; across the five rivers to which the land owes its name,[10] -each day bringing the stalwart frontiersmen nearer to the goal of their -desire. Every man in that band was eager for the fray. - - [10] Punjab means "the country of the five rivers". - -Afridis, Afghans, and the various Pathan tribesmen of the corps looked -forward to the sacking of the wealthy city. For centuries past their -forefathers had marched down at frequent intervals to plunder the rich -plains of Hindustan, and, as children, they had listened to glowing -accounts of the vast wealth of the Mogul capital. The Sikhs of the corps -were equally ready to loot, for the Sikh is nearly as rapacious as the -Pathan, and much more miserly. They remembered also the bitter enmity -between their ancestors and the Mohammedan rulers of Delhi, and their -persecution at the hands of the Moslems. The single company of little -Gurkhas, though by no means grasping like their comrades, were no less -eager to come in contact with the mutinous hordes. The "Irishmen of -Asia" these short-legged warriors might be called, from their readiness -for battle and love of a fight at all times and seasons. - -The Guide Corps consisted of three troops of cavalry and six companies -of infantry, about eight hundred men in all, under the command of -Captain Daly. The greater part of both infantry and cavalry were -Pathans, and they were the best irregular horsemen in the world. The -troopers supplied their own horses, and were men of some wealth and -standing in their own country. As the fierce borderers rode and marched -along, laughing as they spoke of the fun they would have at Delhi, -Bahram Khan grimly told of the punishment meted out to the rebels of -Aurungpore, and boasted of having played the most important rôle in the -hoax. - -"Truly it was all my idea, not Russell Sahib's," he repeated. "But for -me all the Sahib-Logue would have been dead ere this." - -"Tell us, how did it all happen, cousin?" enquired a duffadar, a -relation of the ressaidar's, Nawab Khan by name. - -"When Ishar Das brought the news that another rebel regiment had marched -into Aurungpore," began the quondam bandit, gratified by the -opportunity thus afforded of displaying his triumph, "assuredly we knew -not what to do. Russell Sahib called a halt, and there we consulted -together. Truly brothers, for a moment even I thought we must give up -the attempt. But what is impossible to the true believer? and the idea -came into my mind, placed there doubtless by the Prophet. Thereupon I -advised our officer to call the men together, that we might instruct -them secretly to prepare for mutiny. Then with many oaths we slew -Russell Sahib and threw his body into the ditch"--(here the Pathan -chieftain chuckled gleefully and his comrades laughed out loudly)--"then -we dressed him up as a sepoy, and darkened his face, whilst I robbed him -of his watch and his sword and took the command, and we marched along -swiftly in great disorder, proclaiming that Bahadur Shah was king in -Delhi, and that not a Feringhi should escape our swords. Truly, my -brothers, we were fiercer and more bloodthirsty than any of the real -rebels. The mutinous dogs, as they heard of our approach, sent out men -to meet us, and we rejoiced with them, though we should have greatly -loved to slay them. As we entered the courtyard at Aurungpore they -greeted us with cheers and great praise, and I spoke scornfully of their -methods of fighting. Yea, I laughed in the face of their commandant, for -he had no authority, and told him, so that all might hear, that he would -never exterminate the infidels. Therefore they placed me in command, as -I intended they should, and because I treated them as little better than -curs, they became my dogs, and allowed me--the fools!--to place my men, -with Sultan Jan and Dayal Singh the Sikh in command, in charge of the -guns. - -"They watched over them all night, and when morning came--ho! ho!--I -made the madmen--surely the Prophet had smitten them all with madness--I -made them, I say, empty all their firearms in the air, pretending that -we must trust in the bayonet as soon as the cannon had done their work. - -"'Aye,' said I, 'if your muskets are still loaded ye will lie down and -fire as they escape. Ye must surround them with a ring of steel,' I -said. So the madmen delivered themselves into my hands! Then I gave the -order, and Sultan Jan of Kohat and Dayal Singh the Sikh cried out, and -we let fly into their midst, first destroying the Sikhs, for they are -true soldiers, though unbelieving dogs, and the others were but -children. Yea, by the beard of the Prophet we destroyed them! Aye, we -swept them away, mown down like the yellow corn in the Tirah before the -strokes of the sickle. - -"So they ran, and we followed; through the streets they ran screaming -and throwing down their weapons, and we slew them by scores and by -hundreds. But 'twas I, Bahram Khan, who saved Aurungpore. By the -Prophet's beard, 'twas I!" - -Loudly the Afghan horsemen applauded the strategy of the ressaidar. They -laughed and shouted with glee as they listened, and greatly they -regretted that they had not been present to participate therein. - -Bahram Khan also told his countrymen how the boy-officer riding beside -them--younger than any of their own officers, for the Guides required -strong men to handle them--had blown up the magazine and miraculously -escaped death; and the stern warriors looked approvingly at our hero, -and one remarked in English, "Truly, we shall make a Guide of you, -sahib!" Officers as well as men treated him as an equal, because of the -experience he had gained, and the way in which he had looked death in -the face. - -For Captain Daly, Ted soon felt an ardent admiration. Said this gallant -soldier to the lad on the day that the main body of the regiment was -rejoined, "Well, youngster, do you know that you're taking part in what -is going to be the best march in Indian history?" - -"I'm glad I'm here, sir," replied Ted; and indeed he looked content. - -"Yes," continued the commanding officer; "seven hundred and fifty miles -is the distance from Murdan to Delhi, and I'll do it in thirty days. We -shall probably be the only native regiment that can be trusted to take -part in the siege." - -Ted had looked in vain for his brother's friend Spencer, until Jim -explained that this unlucky officer had been shooting in Kashmir when -the outbreak occurred, and so had not yet been able to rejoin his -regiment. Ted admired Spencer greatly, and was very sorry to miss him. -He was soon attracted, however, by a new acquaintance, Quintin Battye, -the noble and well-loved lieutenant of the Guides, whose name was soon -to gain such tragic fame. - -Through Attock and Rawal Pindi along the frontier, through the large -Sikh capitals of Ludhiana, Amballa, and Kurnaul, had marched the famous -corps, and wherever they went the Sikh and Punjabi inhabitants looked on -in wonderment. As the great troopers in khaki (for the Guides were the -first to wear that uniform), sitting their horses as though born in the -saddle, rode haughtily past the gaping countrymen, at whom they hardly -deigned to look, or as with firm step the six hundred infantry marched -easily through the villages, the knots of men gathered under the shade -of the banyan-tree discussing the fall of the English raj,[11] would -quickly disperse to their houses, and from that shelter watch the -regiment swing past. - - [11] Government or dominion. - -"Ah! did I not tell thee, Maun Singh, that the English had not all been -swept away?" one would say. - -"True, brother. Let us mind our own business and look after our fields, -it is not safe to meddle with the Feringhis," would be the reply. - -"Who were they, Father?" a youngster would ask. "Were not our countrymen -amongst them? But many were Afghan dogs!" - -"Those are the Guides, my son. They have told us lies who said the -English had lost their power. Consider, my brothers. How could the -Guides be spared from the frontier unless the Sikhs and the Pathans, the -Afghans and the Afridis, were on the side of our white rulers? Let our -village have no part in this rebellion, else shall we all suffer." - -So province after province was passed, and the people, noticing how -proud and confident the Guides looked, thought, "Surely the English are -still masters of India." - -And old Sikh and Jat soldiers of "John Company",[12] men who had been -hesitating, who had been offered bribes to fight against the Feringhi, -and who had been told that the whites were all being swept into the sea, -hesitated no longer. They cleaned their swords, harnessed their horses, -and veterans brought their sons, requesting permission to enlist in the -new Punjab regiments which John Lawrence, the mighty commissioner of the -Punjab, was raising for the reinforcement of the army before Delhi. - - [12] The Honourable East India Company, also called "Koompanie - Bahadur", or "The Great Lord Company". - -"The Punjab," said the leader of the Guide Corps, "is paying back India -all she has cost her, by sending troops stout and firm to her aid." - -While still more than a hundred miles from Delhi, the Guides were -required to quell a disturbance in a neighbouring district. Captain -Daly, impatient at the delay, desired to forward despatches to General -Anson, whose army lay some miles to the north of the great city. He -consulted Captain Russell. - -"Your brother is a plucky youngster," he remarked, "but what is his -friend like? He hasn't much to say for himself, but I think he's to be -trusted." - -"Paterson seems one of the quiet sort you can depend on," Jim replied. -"If you are thinking of sending them on to the commander-in-chief, I -think they'd enjoy the job and would carry it through. I suppose you -would give them an escort?" - -Daly beckoned the two ensigns, and handing the papers to Paterson, he -explained the mission, and advised them to ride as much as possible at -night. - -"You shall have half a dozen troopers as escort," he concluded. "The -country will be quiet until you get near Delhi. No monkey tricks, mind, -youngsters, and don't stop to blow up any arsenals on the road!" - -The boys and their six Pathan troopers hastily provisioned themselves, -and, pricking their steeds, dashed joyously away. A ride of a hundred -miles with no one to give them orders! They commanded the party, and the -general himself was not half so proud of his command as our ensigns of -foot were of their half-dozen huge, wild, black-bearded troopers. For a -day and two nights they rode without incident, but on the morning of the -third, as they drew near to Alipore, and saw the towers and minarets of -Delhi glittering in the sun a dozen miles to the south-east, they heard -the sound of firing. Proceeding cautiously, they presently perceived a -number of rebel horsemen flying before a body of English dragoons, as -the eight topped the crest of the slight incline which had hidden them -from view. The Carabineers had already given up the pursuit, and were -sending a few shots after the galloping rebels, who, seeing the -dark-faced, turbaned horsemen, took them for men of the mutinous -irregular cavalry, and raised a cheer. - -Ted looked hopefully at Alec, who hesitated for an instant. He was as -keen as Ted, but ought he to risk his men and the safety of the -despatch? - -"Now, sahibs!" whispered Nawab Khan, the Pathan duffadar (corporal). - -That decided the young commandant. - -"Charge, men!" Alec cried, and waved his sword. "Charge!" - -Eight blades flashed in the sunlight, as with a wild yell the little -band hurled themselves like a thunderbolt into the midst of the -bewildered sepoys. Ted, Nawab Khan, and a trooper, their chargers -straining to the utmost, rode side by side, the other five close behind, -and the rebel rank broke at once. A dozen men of the 3rd Native -Cavalry--the regiment that commenced the great mutiny--fell before that -charge, the leader being unhorsed and severely wounded by Ted himself, -and before they could recover from their confusion the Carabineers were -on their heels. Without waiting to take revenge on the insolent handful, -the rebel cavalry scattered and galloped away, the ensigns and the -Pathans following hard. At Paterson's command five men ceased their -pursuit, but the duffadar, engaged in a running fight with two pandies -at once, would not turn back. At length one sowar[13] dropped with -cloven skull, and the other--a rebel captain--was being disposed of, -when a dozen sepoys turned their horses round to help their officer. -Quick as thought the Pathan seized the wounded subadar by the collar and -jerked him out of the saddle; then, leaping from his own horse on to the -rebel's, he laughed at the sepoys, and quickly rejoined his comrades. -"He had wounded my horse, sahib, and his was the finest steed I've -seen, so I prevailed on the dog to exchange, ho! ho!" and Nawab Khan -laughed. And well he might; the beast, a beautiful dark chestnut, was -indeed a grand charger. - - [13] A native trooper or horse-soldier. - -"Well, of all the cool cheek!" exclaimed the officer of the 6th Dragoons -(known as the "Carabineers"), laughing as he came up. "Anyone hurt?" - -"None of us, sir," replied Ted with a grin; "but I fancy some of the -rebels are." - -"And who on earth are you?" was the next question. - -"Guides, sir," was Paterson's laconic but very proud answer. - -"Guides! Is this all the regiment?" - -"I should think not!" exclaimed Ted indignantly, and Paterson proceeded -to explain his errand. - -"Well, are the rest like these?" asked the astonished captain, who was -but newly from England. - -"Quite as good. You'll soon see, sir," Ted confidently assured him, -whilst the Pathans slowly looked the Carabineers over from head to foot, -and evidently approved of the inspection--a compliment returned by the -British troopers. Together they entered the camp. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -Ted's First Battle - - -General Anson, Commander-in-chief in India, had died a few days -previously; his successor, General Barnard, received and read the -despatch in silence. - -He then looked up with stern face, but twinkling eyes. "Do you think, -young gentlemen, that it shows good judgment to charge seventy horsemen -with only six?" for the captain of the Carabineers had reported the -incident to his chief. - -Ted stammered out, "We didn't think, sir." - -"Think! I should imagine not. You must learn caution, if ever you hope -to get on in your profession." - -The boys saluted and turned to go, when the general continued: - -"Let me see; which of you was it who blew up the magazine at -Aurungpore?" - -Ted blushed as Alec replied. The general rose from his chair, shook -hands solemnly as with an equal, and the ensign departed, his heart -nearly bursting with pride. No amount of praise could have pleased him -so much as did this simple act. - -The dragoon captain found sleeping quarters for them and for their men, -and they made a tour of the encampment. In the camp the British soldiers -(for their six men were the only dark-skins), horse and foot, were -gathered in groups talking over the strange changes that had occurred, -and eagerly discussing the latest tidings. The slaughter of the -helpless ladies and children in the city before them had maddened the -men, and all vowed vengeance on the cruel foe. - -"There's not a black regiment to be trusted, I don't care who they are," -declared one. - -"Oh, there may be some who are all right! we mustn't condemn the lot," -replied another. - -"Indeed! Who are your precious heroes, then?" sneered a third. - -"Well, I don't know," the more hopeful red-coat replied; "but they say -that the Guides and the Sirmur Battalion of Gurkhas are coming to help -us." - -"Guides and Gurkies be blowed! You'll just see; the niggers'll come as -far as it suits them, then they'll kill their officers and march into -Delhi. They ought to have been disarmed, Guides and Gurkies and everyone -else, straight away." - -"Hear, hear!" joined in the others. "We don't want no niggers helpin' -us." - -"They don't know much about the Guides, do they, Ted?" Alec whispered. - -"They don't. But they spoke of the Sirmur Gurkhas. I wonder whether they -are coming here? My cousin Charlie Dorricot is with them, so I hope they -are. He's a jolly beggar is Charlie." - -"They say Gurkhas are always to be trusted," Alec replied; "and from -what these fellows say, it's evident they haven't mutinied so far.... -Hullo! what's up now? The 'Alarm'! By Jove, the pandies are attacking -us!" - -A bugle had sounded the 'Alarm'; the men sprang to their feet, rushed -for their arms, and prepared to fall in. In an instant the whole camp -was alive. - -"What is it? Who are they?" - -"Over there! Look! It's an attack on our rear." - -The bugle blew again, and the alarm gradually subsided. All eyes were -directed towards a body of men marching wearily, but with correct, -well-drilled step, along the road leading towards the British camp. They -seemed dark, very short of stature, and curiously attired, and that was -all that could be made out. Though not Europeans, they were evidently -friends, because the "Alarm" sounded by the first bugle had been -contradicted by the second call. - -And now that the sepoy regiments were proving false right and left, what -Asiatic corps except the Guides could be trusted so near the -head-quarters of the rebels? John Lawrence would take good care that no -doubtful regiments should be sent to Delhi, and that no Mussulman nor -Brahman of the Bengal army should be given such an excellent chance of -turning traitor at the critical moment. - -The strangers drew nearer, and the camp turned out to meet them. Then -the word passed from lip to lip that these were the Gurkhas--Reid's -Gurkhas. - -"It's the Sirmur Battalion, Alec," said Ted; and he executed a little -_pas seul_ to proclaim his delight. - -"Who are they?" asked some of the Tommies. "Where 'ave they come from? -Can they fight?" - -"Fight? Can't they just!" replied one of the knowing ones, a sergeant -with a dozen years' Indian experience. "They come from Dehra Dun, up in -the hills." - -"I wouldn't give a dog-biscuit for all the native regiments in India," a -young private declared. "They're all rotten with treachery." - -"You'll never be commander-in-chief, Sammy," the sergeant retorted. "You -know a dashed sight too much, and yet not 'arf enough. If you wasn't so -ignorant you'd know that these Gurkies ain't natives but furriners in -Injia same as us, livin' in a furrin country called Nepal, up amongst -the Himalayas, which you've never 'eard on, I dare say. And the Gurky -king ain't a subject of the queen, like the Injian rajahs and nawabs and -nizams and such, but free and independent, like voters at an election. -I've fought side by side with 'em, Sammy, and they're as good pals on a -battle-field as any chaps from Battersea." - -Ted and Alec laughed at the sergeant's harangue, and strolled down the -road to meet the reinforcements. The short-legged, tough, little Gurkhas -were almost dropping from fatigue and heat. They had marched many, many -miles that day under the scorching Indian sun, and they were no more -accustomed to the heat of the plains than were their British comrades. - -"Hurrah for the Gurkies! Three cheers for the little 'uns!" - -The cry was taken up by hundreds of the red-coats, who were now lining -both sides of the road, cheering again and again as the weary Mongolians -marched sturdily through their ranks with soldierly swagger. The little -fellows grinned and tried to cheer and joke in return, but, being dead -beat and almost famishing, the attempt was a failure. Many British -soldiers ran out to help their new allies along, by lending the support -of an arm or shoulder. - -"That's him, Alec!" Ted, regardless of grammar, informed his chum. - -He made straight for a lieutenant of the Gurkhas, a tall, jolly-looking -man of about five-and-twenty, and tapped him on the shoulder. - -"Please, sir," said the ensign, with great deference and as vacant an -expression as possible, "is there an officer of this regiment of pandies -named Dorricot, because he's wanted in camp." - -"Pandies! you impudent puppy!" the enraged lieutenant replied. -"Pandies! I like your cheek! My name's Dorricot. Who wants me?" - -"Please, sir, I think it's a tailor with a lot of unpaid bills--" - -The lieutenant opened his mouth, and, gripping Ted's wrist, looked him -squarely in the face. He burst into a laugh. - -"Ted Russell! What on earth are you doing here, you cheeky chimpanzee?" - -He wrung Ted's hand heartily, and was unceremoniously introduced to -Paterson. - -"What are you doing here, Ted?" Dorricot repeated. "Your regiment has -mutinied, has it not?" - -"Yes. Seeing we were at liberty, the general sent for Paterson and me to -come and give him a lift. We're his military advisers, ain't we, Alec?" - -"Oh, Ted's altogether too modest," said Paterson. "In reality he's the -actual commander here, and General Barnard takes orders from him." - -"Oh, that's it, is it?" Dorricot replied. "Well, look here, come to my -tent as soon as we've settled down. I want to have a talk with you." - -The Sirmur Battalion passed within the lines, and General Barnard -himself came out to welcome them. - -"Get something to eat sharp!" he exhorted Major Reid. "Sorry you're dead -beat, but we may have to turn out at any moment." - -Luckily this was not necessary, as the expected attack did not come off, -and the tired Gurkhas were granted a few hours' well-earned rest. Soon -after they had settled down our two ensigns paid the promised visit to -Lieutenant Dorricot, and fought their battles over again, talking and -laughing over their several adventures, interrupting, contradicting, and -agreeing with one another as they discussed the situation and the causes -that had combined to bring it about. - -The elder cousin was full of a natural curiosity concerning Jim's -engagement, soon persuading the ensign--and in truth it was no difficult -matter--to give his opinion of Miss Woodburn, her accomplishments and -attractions. - -"Hullo!" interrupted Charlie, as the boy waxed particularly eloquent on -the subject. "You're sure it's Russell Major who's in love, and not -Russell Minimus." - -Ted blushed, laughed outright, and sought to change the subject; but -Charlie was determined to extract further information relating to his -cousin's love affairs--a matter on which he was conventionally -facetious. - -"So you really think that old Jim's done well--eh, young Solomon?" -Dorricot resumed after a few moments' reflection. - -"I tell you he's a jolly lucky chap!" declared the ensign emphatically. -"Jolly lucky, I should say. You should just have seen her when she -whipped her pistol out as soon as that beggar had knifed me in the -_bazar_!" - -"What was that, Teddy? You never told me about that." - -So our ensign related the incident with great gusto, and the elder -cousin whistled as he heard of the girl's coolness. - -"She's the right sort for Jim," he agreed, as Ted concluded the -narration. "But I must be toddling off to bed now, I'm badly in need of -some sleep. By-bye, young 'un!" - -"Good-night, Charlie! It's just stunning to see you again. Jim'll be -downright glad when he comes; he's bound to be here in a day or two -now." - -"His men must be rattling good marchers if he is! I hardly think it -possible." - -With a hearty handshake the cousins separated, the ensigns returning to -their own quarters in the highest possible spirits, looking forward with -great eagerness to the coming struggle. - -A few days later General Barnard advanced and gave battle to the enemy -at Badli-Ka-Serai, six miles from the city. Not a soldier there but was -burning to meet the traitors, but none was more keen than the little -Gurkhas, who, to the delight of the amused Tommies, turned somersaults -and played leap-frog when they heard that an attack was to be made. - -The multitudes of sepoys fought with courage and fierce determination, -but were hurled back by the little army, which occupied position after -position as the mutineers recoiled. At his cousin's request Ted was -allowed to act with the Sirmur Battalion until the arrival of the Guide -Corps, whose absence the boy greatly regretted. - -"How mad they will be to have missed this!" he whispered to Charlie as -they led the Gurkhas at the double to the foot of the ridge, where they -halted and attempted to dislodge the enemy by rifle-fire. The bullets -whistled around, and many a gallant fellow fell, and it must be -confessed that our ensign felt uncomfortable. He hoped that this waiting -"would jolly soon be over", but, with the eyes of the little Mongolians -upon him, he scorned to show signs of flinching even when a bullet -flattened on the stone beside him. The fire had little effect on the -rebel regiments above; the swarthy faces seemed to glare down upon them -in demoniacal fashion, defying their approach. - -At length came the welcome order to storm the ridge. With a cheer -Britons and Gurkhas rose and dashed up the slope, racing like -school-boys for the top. The Gurkhas yelled and shrieked, challenging -the 60th Rifles to the race; the English had no breath left for -cheering, but they put in all they knew, not to be outdistanced by "them -Gurky chaps". The little mountaineers, however, had had far more -practice in rapid climbing than their British comrades, and were soon -well in front, with Major Reid and Lieutenant Dorricot at their head. -Though Ted toiled manfully forward, he could only arrive at the top with -the rear sections of his regiment, with whom were mixed the -dark-coated English riflemen. The sepoys were standing no longer. Their -ranks broken up by the furious charge from right and left, their guns -taken and leaders slain, they dared no longer face the glistening -bayonets and determined faces of vengeful Englishmen and furious -Gurkhas, but broke and fled towards the city. After them ran the -infantry, and in the plains below the cavalry charged and re-charged the -flying mobs, scattering them again as they tried to reform. The battle -of Badli-Ka-Serai was over. - - [Illustration: BATTYE ROSE IN HIS STIRRUPS AND THUNDERED FORTH THE - ORDER TO CHARGE] - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -The Post of Honour - - -A great victory had been won! The temper of the men had been tested and -found true as steel; the only loyal dark-faced battalion had been tried -and found worthy to rank side by side with the steadiest of English or -Highland regiments. The praises of the Gurkhas were in every mouth. - -Besides these tests two great material advantages had been gained. This -was the first. Less than a mile from the walls the Aravelli range of -hills ended, and underneath this ridge lay the place where the troops -had dwelt before the mutiny. Had the enemy not been driven from the -Ridge, the old cantonments and parade-ground could not have been -occupied, as they would have been swept by the fire from above. - -Now that the Ridge had been won, however, the army could safely rest -below, protected by the high ground from the fire of the heavy guns on -the Delhi bastions. - -In the second place, the rebels had not only been disheartened by their -first defeat, but the tidings would quickly spread all over India that -the English were still strong enough to defeat thrice their number. This -news would be worth a thousand men, for people were saying that Allah -had deprived the Feringhis of their strength, that they were _lachar_ -(helpless), and could no longer fight. - -The rebel stronghold lay before the victors, vast, powerful, and filled -with myriads of brave and warlike men. Well might they be defiant, for -what could that tiny army achieve against their great strength. For you -must know that by all the rules of warfare an army attacking a -strongly-fortified place should be much more numerous than the defending -host, and have more powerful or quite as powerful artillery. The -assailants should be able to surround the place to prevent the entrance -of food or reinforcements. But the walls of Delhi measured seven miles -in circumference; the army investing it could with difficulty guard its -own quarters, and rebel reinforcements entered as they pleased. Though -we were supposed to be engaged in an assault on Delhi, yet in reality, -during that summer of 1857, we were on our defence--the defenders of the -Ridge against countless rebel attacks. - -At the southern extremity of the Ridge stood a large mansion, built many -years ago by a Mahratta gentleman named Hindu Rao. This house, strong -and well built, commanded a good view of Delhi, and all movements could -be observed therefrom. No force could issue from the walls to surprise -the camp or retake the Ridge without being noticed by the picket holding -the position. So Hindu Rao's house became the post of honour, and the -post of honour is always the post of danger. Less than 1200 yards from -the mansion the 24-pounders of the Mori bastion overlooked the Ridge, -and the house presented an easy target for the shot and shell of the -huge guns. - -The little cannon of our soldiers were as pop-guns compared to these -monsters, and not only was the advantage in size, but the sepoys -possessed a dozen heavy guns for every light one of ours, besides vast -stores of ammunition and material of war. The walls had been further -strengthened not many years before by English engineer officers, who had -made a glacis that protected all except the top ten feet of the walls -from injury by shot or shell. - -A glacis is a huge bank of earth sloping outwards from the walls, and -not only does it shield the lower portions, but, should an enemy -attempt to escalade the walls or carry the city by assault, they would -first have to run up this glacis, and there they would present such a -target that trained gunners could sweep the assailants away by hundreds. -The engineers, who had so skilfully and carefully constructed these -defences, little thought that their handiwork would merely serve to keep -India in a ferment for many months. The batteries were manned by -artillerymen who had learned their profession--and learned it, alas! too -well--under the tuition of English officers. Within the walls were more -than 20,000 trained and disciplined sepoys, men who had proved their -valour on many a well-fought field, not to mention thousands on -thousands of armed fanatics, warriors by birth and by tradition. All -these fought under shelter, which our brave fellows lacked. But ours -were British, "strong with the strength of the race to command, to obey, -to endure", save the one Gurkha battalion and the Guide Corps (now close -at hand), and these were soon admitted as equals by the British -soldiers. - -The British army was small--very small--but the lack of powerful -artillery was an even greater source of weakness. An army without -artillery, matched against even an equal force well supplied with -powerful guns, would have as much chance of success as a man armed with -a light cane fighting another possessed of sword and revolver. - -Thousands of people in England and in India, who eagerly devoured the -news and anxiously awaited the fall of the capital, impatiently asked, -"Why are they so long? Why don't they take the city?" These worthy folks -could not understand the difficulties; they could not realize that mere -pluck and endurance avail nothing against stone walls and mighty cannon. -As the weeks rolled by and Delhi was still untaken, other persons, still -more ignorant, exclaimed, "Why don't they leave Delhi if they can't -capture it, and go and help Sir Henry Lawrence at Lucknow?" They did -not see that even if that small army appeared to be doing little, it -still kept shut up in the city forty thousand armed rebels who might -otherwise be spreading over the country conquering and slaying. Nor did -they grasp the fact that had the English army left Delhi unconquered the -warlike Punjab, and then all India, would have risen. To have left the -Mogul capital would have been a confession of weakness; it would have -been to say: "We are beaten, we can do nothing here", and when once the -English say that in India, their empire will collapse. - -So, though Barnard's handful was attacking Delhi contrary to all the -rules of war, we must remember what Mr. Rudyard Kipling has pointed out, -that had our British generals never acted against those rules the -boundaries of the empire would have stayed at Brighton beach. - -It will be readily understood, even by boys who have engaged in no -battles save those in which snow-balls form the most dangerous missiles, -that this ridge of elevated ground was of the highest importance. Had -the rebels been able to retake it and plant guns thereon, the British -camp would have been at their mercy, and the Punjab would have been -ablaze. As the Ridge defended the British army, so Hindu Rao's house -defended the Ridge. - -Let us rejoin the comrades we had left victorious after the battle of -Badli-ka-Serai. The army now occupied its old parade-ground below the -Ridge, and our friends, who had escaped uninjured, were awaiting further -orders, when Major Reid, who had been conversing with the general, came -towards them, his face aglow. - -"Grand news, Dorricot!" he shouted. "The Sirmur Battalion is to defend -that house," pointing to the distant mansion of Hindu Rao. - -"Score for our Gurkhas!" Dorricot shouted back. - -"What do you think of that, youngsters?" he continued, turning to Ted -and Alec. "I feel as though I'd been made a K.C.B. at least. We must -fall the men in and be off." - -The Gurkha bugles sounded and the battalion fell in, whilst their -commandant informed them that the general had paid them the great -compliment of selecting them for the post of honour, and he had no doubt -that they would show themselves in every way worthy to uphold the -traditions of their race. The little men grinned, well pleased, as their -officer went on to warn them that it would also be the post of danger; -that upon the house of Hindu Rao would fall the brunt of all the rebel -attacks, and that the building would be the main target for the Delhi -artillery. - -The little men huzzaed at the prospect. The fiercer the battle waging -around them the better pleased would they be. They meant to hold their -post tooth and nail. - -"What plucky little fiends they are!" Alec whispered. "Danger evidently -appeals to them as a most delightful prospect." - -When the news spread that the Gurkhas had been awarded the post of -honour, the soldiers assembled to cheer their comrades from the -mountains of Nepal as they marched away. Never did general make a wiser -selection. Prominent amidst the glorious achievements during the siege -of Delhi stands out the dogged pluck of the Gurkha picket, who -successfully held the house of Hindu Rao during a hundred days of -terrific fighting and bombardment, though only a handful escaped death -or wounds. - -Rooms were apportioned to the various ranks, and the Sirmur men were -speedily settled in their new quarters. Ted and Charlie strolled round -the mansion, and, gazing upon the Imperial City, entered into an -argument respecting their distance from the big cannon of the Mori -bastion. - -They were still disputing, when a pleasant-looking, gentlemanly young -Gurkha officer joined them, and, jerking our ensign round by his jacket -collar to face the new-comer, Charlie observed: - -"I ought to have introduced you two before. Goria Thapa, can you guess -who the ensign sahib is? He is Ensign Russell, son of your father's -comrade, of whom you have often heard. Ted, this is Jemadar Goria Thapa, -son of Jaspao Thapa, your guvnor's great pal of 1815." - -Goria Thapa's jolly countenance became wreathed in grins. He held out -his hand, saying: - -"I have heard much of thy father, Russell Sahib, who was my father's -brother. I am glad to fight side by side with thee as our fathers -fought." - -Ted pressed the young jemadar's hand. This was, then, the grandson of -the famous Nepalese general, Amir Sing Thapa, who had kept our troops at -bay for so long a period in the year of Waterloo. Ted had often heard -the story, and was glad indeed to meet the hero's grandson. - -That night the troops slept soundly both on and below the Ridge. In the -early morning the Gurkha picket heard the sound of cheering from the -British camp, and the report ran round that the Guide Corps was marching -in. Ted, Paterson, and their four Pathans--two had fallen on the -previous day--went down to rejoin their regiment, which was being -greeted with the same enthusiasm that had been accorded to the Sirmuris -a few days before. - -Though the Guides had taken no part in the battle they had already -covered themselves with undying glory. Daly had promised that the seven -hundred and fifty miles should be covered in a month, and he had done it -in twenty-eight days. The stately height and military bearing of the -frontiersmen and the perfect horsemanship of the cavalry took everyone -by surprise, and such exclamations as "A splendid lot!" "Fighters every -inch of them!" were heard on all sides. Though they had accomplished the -magnificent march--a march that still holds the record--during the -hottest season of the year, they came in, as an onlooker remarked, "as -firm and light of step as if they had marched only a mile". - -The Guides had barely arrived before they contrived to give the Delhi -rebels a taste of their temper. Large bodies of horse and foot had been -sent out from the city to harass our advanced posts, and, full of a -fierce joy, the Guides were ordered to the front. - -Charlie was engaged in chaffing his cousin, Ted throwing in a word here -and there, when Lieutenant Quintin Battye strolled up, a smile on his -handsome face. He nodded towards the two ensigns. - -"I've a bone to pick with you two," he gaily remarked. "What do you mean -by risking the lives of my best troopers by charging a regiment with -half a dozen men? Throw your own lives away if you like, but remember -that our sowars are of value to the state." - -Ted had a joke on the tip of his tongue before the slower Paterson had -framed any suitable reply, when the order came for the Guides Cavalry to -advance. - -Battye rose in his stirrups, and, thundering forth the order to charge, -dashed straight for the ranks of the mutinous 3rd Native Cavalry. The -sabres of the loyal and disloyal crossed, and down went man and horse -before that furious onslaught. Through the second ranks of the rebels -crashed those Pathan and Sikh troopers, their steel flashing in the -sunlight as the sabres rose and fell again, now tinged with red, in the -fierce conflict. Ever in the forefront rode Quintin Battye. Captain -Daly, with the infantry, looked on in admiration at his subaltern's -charge and could not contain himself. - -"Gallant Battye! Well done, brave Battye!" he cried in his enthusiasm. - -At that very moment a rebel turned round, and, riding straight for the -English subaltern, discharged his piece into Battye's body from a -distance of twenty yards. The deed was avenged! Subadar Merban Sing, -captain of the Gurkha company of the Guides, had dashed forward and cut -down the sepoy as he fired, but too late to save that precious life. -Battye was carried off the field, wounded mortally; and as he lay dying -in terrible pain, he turned to the chaplain who attended him, and -smiling said: "_Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori!_" - -Thus died a gallant officer and true gentleman. Since that date there -has hardly been a campaign in which the Guides have not been officered -by a Battye. - -The Guides Infantry were now allotted a position on the Ridge, under the -orders of Major Reid, who had been placed in command of the advanced -posts. Two companies of the 60th Rifles also took up their quarters in -Hindu Rao's house, for it soon became evident that the Sirmur Battalion -would have to bear the brunt of all attacks. - -But the little Himalayans did not grumble at that. - -On the very first opportunity that presented itself, our three friends -foregathered to talk over the events of the past few years. The two -seniors placidly smoked their pipes and congratulated themselves on -belonging to regiments that had proved their loyalty. - -Jim was forced to submit, with as much good-temper and cheerfulness as -could have been expected under the circumstances, to his cousin's -quizzing enquiries and humorous comments in the matter of his love -affair and engagement. Charlie simply wanted to know everything, and, -with as good a grace as possible for a shy young man, Jim laughingly -endeavoured to parry the embarrassing questions. - -"Well, tell me what she's like, man, can't you? Teddy here can't say -anything concerning her appearance, except that he's head over heels in -love with her himself.---- And I'm sure that's no recommendation for any -girl!" Captain Dorricot added, as an afterthought. - -Ted hereupon indulged in an exclamation and gesture expressive of -dissent, and of the supreme contempt in which he held his cousin. - -"What's that, Ted? You never said anything of the sort? Why, you young -bargee, of course you did!" went on the tormentor. "You talked of -poisoning Jim's grub, and what not.---- Well, Captain Russell, once -more: Are her eyes black, blue, brown, purple, violet, green, yellow, -red, or a mixture, or perchance, is she an albino?" - -"Oh, I dunno! Something between green and blue, as you seem so anxious -to know." - -"Peacock-blue, shall we say? That's a pity! Violet is the favourite hue -with lady novelists--either violet, or purple, or heliotrope. Did you -ever see a woman with eyes of heliotrope hue, young 'un?" - -"No, nor don't want to." - -"That's very decided. Now then, Jim, cut along! Eyes, peacock-blue; -nose, Roman, Grecian, snub, or what? Grecian? Right. Jot it down. Size? -Ted says she's a dwarf. What? Ted a liar? Surely the boy has not been -deceiving me who trusted in him?" - -"I never said anything of the kind!" interrupted Ted indignantly. "Don't -believe a word he says, Jim." - -"Oh, Teddy, Teddy, this to your loving cousin? Now, you know that you -said she was smaller than you!" Charlie asserted with a show of -indignant surprise at the ensign's perfidy. - -"Well, we're getting at it slowly," Dorricot continued. "Nose Grecian; -peacock-blue eyes; size five feet nothing; hair brown; rides well; -shoots mullahs in the _bazar_ for sport, failing partridges; loads -rifles with considerable ease--for a woman; sings divinely--isn't that -the expression?--" - -"Hold on, old man, that's the whole catalogue!" interrupted Jim. "You'll -see her some day, I hope. Now what about this present business?" - -Captain Russell then proceeded to give an account of their great march, -and Dorricot told of the temptations placed before his men. - -"As we halted one day on the march down to Meerut," he informed the -brothers, "a number of sappers who were on the point of mutiny -approached our lads and began to talk earnestly to them. We pretended to -take no notice, but when the sappers had left, Reid called a couple of -the Gurkhas to him. The little men trotted up, quivering with anger and -indignation. - -"'Well, what did those fellows want, my lads?' he enquired. - -"'They asked us if we were going up to Meerut to eat the _ottah_ (flour) -sent up specially by government for the Gurkhas,' one of them replied. -'And they said that the _ottah_ at Meerut was nothing but ground bullock -bones, and that we should be defiled.' - -"'And what was your answer?' asked Reid. - -"The little beggars drew themselves up proudly. - -"'We said that we were going wherever we were ordered; that our regiment -obeys the bugle-call!'" - -"Good little men!" commented the captain of the Guides, as his cousin -concluded. "Our own Gurkha company would be hard to beat. Look at -Subadar Merban Sing! the man who tried to save poor Battye. His men -simply adore him; they'd do anything for him, and go anywhere with him. -But aren't your 'almond-eyed Tartars' Hindus by religion? How did they -take the greased-cartridge yarn?" - -"They're Hindus, right enough, but they are soldiers first. They don't -worship either Siva or Vishnu one-half so fervently as they adore their -rifles and kukris. So they simply said that they would believe whatever -Major Reid told them, and when he assured them that the cartridges and -the cartridge-papers were free from offence, they replied, without a -moment's hesitation: - -"'Then serve them out to us! We'll use them, and everyone may see!'" - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -With the Gurkha Picket - - -On the morning of the 12th of June our friends on the Ridge were out -soon after dawn, visiting their respective pickets and receiving -reports. All was quiet. They gazed with admiration on the wonderful -panorama, at the stately mosques, minarets, and towers of the royal -city, at the huge mass of walls bulking in threatening manner before -them, at the king's palace--a town in itself--that stood to the far side -of the city, and at the blue waters of the Jumna glittering and -sparkling in the sun, washing the opposite walls to those whose heavy -guns had poured shot and shell at our men but a few hours ago. To the -south of the Ridge lay the picturesque suburbs of the Kishengang and the -Sabzi-mandi, with their magnificent buildings, walled gardens, and shady -groves. - -The peaceful scene was not of long duration. The guns of the Mori and -Kashmir bastions presently belched forth a shower of shot and shell, -and, under cover of the heavy fire, two large bodies of mutineers poured -out to the attack, one charging the Gurkha picket, the other pushing its -way through the gardens, sheltered by trees and walls. Those sepoy -regiments attacking Hindu Rao's mansion saw only dark faces between them -and their desire. - -"Come over to us!" the Brahmans shouted to the Gurkhas. "Come over, and -we'll reward you; you shall have treasure and honour. You are of our -religion. Siva, the Destroyer, is fighting on our side. Join us in -driving away the white men. Come!" - -"Yes, we are coming! Wait for us!" shouted back the Nepalese. And they -went, with bayonets fixed and kukris bared; but the rebels waited not. -Terrified by the determined faces and gleaming steel, they turned and -fled, pursued for some distance by the fierce little mountaineers. -Thenceforward the Gurkhas were hated with a hatred as bitter as that -accorded to the British. - -"Those monkeys of Gurkhas are renegades to their faith!" declared the -Brahman priests to those mutineers in Delhi who were of their -persuasion. "They prefer to receive the Englishman's pay rather than -follow the dictates of their holy men. Let them be outcasts! Spare them -not! When we have destroyed the white men, then shall we deal with them, -if any have escaped by that time!" - -The attack made at the same time on the troops stationed below the Ridge -met with no better success. The British soldiers down there were no less -eager than their comrades up above to give the foemen a taste of their -quality. After some hours' hard fighting, the rebels were repulsed with -heavy loss, and our men began to feel happy, fondly imagining that the -tide was already turning in their favour. - -The unthinking ones and the least experienced talked confidently of -entering Delhi in a few days, or a week or two at most. They underrated -the strength of the enemy, and also the determination of the -mutineers,--a mistake the British soldier is wont to make. - -Undismayed by this reverse, the enemy came out to attack our posts every -day between the 12th and 17th of June, and every day they were beaten -back. Time after time they flung themselves in heavy masses against the -small force defending the Ridge, only to be hurled back again and again -by the Gurkhas, the Guides Infantry, and the Englishmen of the 60th -Rifles, who all fought with equally unflinching gallantry. - -But on the 17th of June, Major Reid, to his delight, was ordered to act -on the offensive. The enemy had commenced to erect batteries outside the -walls, in the Kishengang and Trevelyan-gang suburbs, commanding the -British positions, and this could not be allowed. Reid's men, with -another column from the main force, sallied forth and stormed the -positions, routed the foe, and destroyed the works. But not without loss -was this accomplished. Our foemen were no cravens; they flung themselves -not once but many times with desperate courage against their assailants, -making little impression, however, on the stern warriors of England, -Scotland, and Ireland, of the Punjab, and of Nepal. - -When morning dawned next day the officers reminded the British soldiers -that this was Waterloo-day, and the remembrance of that glorious -victory, and of the valour of their fathers, roused a new enthusiasm. On -this day the Guides Cavalry had their turn, and acquitted themselves -like the heroes they were. But once more they paid a price for so -distinguishing themselves, for Captain Daly, their gallant leader, was -carried away severely wounded. - -The knowledge that his men had proved themselves so worthy consoled -Captain Daly in his pain. There were few soldiers in the force now who -were not ready to admit, and to back their opinion with curious and -unnecessary oaths, that these two native regiments were an invaluable -acquisition to the force--that Guides and Gurkhas were worthy to uphold -the reputation of the British army. - -Little of importance happened during the next three or four days, though -the batteries were continually playing on the Ridge. One round-shot came -crashing through the portico of Hindu Rao's house with terrible effect, -killing an English officer and eight Gurkhas. - -On June the 23rd the rebels made a vow. This day was the centenary of -the battle of Plassy. For just one hundred years had the Feringhis' -dominion lasted, and now, according to the Moslem prophets, their time -was come. So the sepoys, maddened by the resistance offered to their -attacks, furious that these Gurkhas should persistently remain at their -post, ever watchful and ever eager for the fray in spite of the -incessant cannonade, vowed that on this day Hindu Rao's house should be -captured. - -About mid-day the attack on the Ridge began, the insurgents swarming up -on every side. Beaten back, but reinforced by fresh hordes, they again -came to the attack with desperate valour, to be once more repulsed by -the Gurkhas. Foiled but not done with, the enemy recommenced a brisk -cannonade of the handful who opposed them. Under cover of this fire a -fresh assault was made, and for a moment the post seemed lost. The dark -uniforms of the English riflemen, the drab of the Guides, and the ugly -dress of the Gurkhas, seemed lost amidst those swarming thousands. -Somehow Ensign Russell found himself in the front with the Gurkha -company of the Guides. Little Subadar Merban Sing, the captain of the -company, stood at his elbow, as mild in appearance as usual, smiling -pleasantly and serenely as he watched the straining and tugging bodies, -the uplifted and downfalling arms, the musket flashes on every side, the -thrusting of bayonets and slicing of kukris, and, as calmly as if on -parade, he gave directions to his men. - -Inspired by his companion's coolness and absolute lack of fear, Ted -fought manfully at his side. A Guide in front of him stumbled, badly -wounded. It was Merban Sing's brother. Quick as thought Ted dashed -forward and stood over the body as half a dozen sepoys ran to thrust -their bayonets into the helpless Gurkha. With his pistol Ted shot one, -gave another the point of his sword, and Merban Sing, again at his side, -struck down two more whose bayonet-points were almost plunged in the -ensign's breast. The Gurkha subadar, felled from behind, dropped over -his wounded brother, who at the same time received his death-wound. A -rush from behind brought a dozen more Guides around the lad, who saw -steel flash in front of his face, and felt a burning sensation in his -cheek; then his head seemed to split, and he remembered no more. - -With yells of triumph the myriad enemy pushed forward, but not to -victory. Major Reid's voice rang out clear, keeping his men together, -and with a cheer the gallant fellows responded. The riflemen closed up, -shoulder to shoulder, and, first pouring a withering fire into the mass, -dashed forward with the bayonet, followed by the Guides, who also used -that best of weapons. The little Nepalese, throwing down musket and -bayonet, drew their razor-edged kukris and plunged into the thick of -their opponents, hewing them down and scattering them on every side by -the fury of their charge. The foe gave ground and the crisis had passed. -The officers cheered, the men responded, and again a bayonet and kukri -charge drove the pandies farther back. Then the Rifles and Guides, -kneeling down, sent volley after volley into the mass of wavering -sepoys, and followed up their advantage by again charging home, and the -danger was passed. But the enemy, though disheartened, were not routed; -the conflict still raged fast and furious. The rebel guns, which had -ceased firing during the hand-to-hand fighting, again gave tongue with -deadly effect. Taking advantage of the diversion thus created, the -plucky sepoys made a last desperate effort to fulfil their vow, only to -receive further punishment. As the sun went down and the light faded, -the rebels lost heart and retired, discouraged and cowed, to the shelter -of their walls, hastened on the way by the bullets which dropped amongst -them. - -Everywhere had the attack failed, both on the Ridge and below. But -though a severe blow had been dealt to the mutineers, too many of our -own had been slain; for the sepoys in Delhi could better spare a -thousand men than could the army before Delhi afford to lose fourscore. -To resist an attack was one thing; to storm the city successfully would -be quite another. - -When Ensign Russell came to himself he was back in the Mahratta's -mansion, his brother and cousin by his side as the doctor examined him. - -"Thank God that you've a thick head, young man," observed that official; -and turning to the others he added, "He'll be all right in a few days." - -"What's the matter?" asked the boy. His head was ringing and singing, -and he felt sick. - -"Crack on the head with the butt-end, Teddy," answered Charlie. "It -knocked you senseless, and Goria Thapia carried you out of danger. Good -job you've got the Russell skull. I expect the musket was smashed to -bits! Without joking, old boy, you've had a narrow escape." - -"What's the matter with my cheek--it's stinging frightfully?" asked Ted. - -"Your cheek?" replied Jim, laughing. "Oh, nothing's the matter with -that! It's as big and fine and well-developed as usual." Jim then placed -his hand on his brother's brow. "A sword or bayonet has just grazed your -cheek, Ted, old man, and taken the skin off. It will be painful, but -you'll hardly feel it in a week's time. Now, go to sleep." - -"But how did the fight go after I was dropped, Jim? Was Merban Sing -killed?" - -Captain Russell related the stirring incidents of the day, and told how -Merban Sing and two of his brothers had laid down their lives to defend -their trust. - -For some time after this determined assault the rebels became more -cautious, whilst our men sat tight, waiting for reinforcements and for a -siege-train with which to batter those heavy walls whereon our little -guns made no impression. - -When off duty, officers and men would stroll from one regiment's lines -to another, the chief meeting-place being the Flagstaff Tower on the -north end of the Ridge, well out of range. Games at cricket and quoits, -as well as polo-matches and races, were arranged. Numerous were the -visitors to Hindu Rao's house, as men from all the regiments came to see -this important outpost, to note the damage done by shot and shell, and -to scrutinize those wonderfully tough little Gurkhas who were the first -line of defence, and who were enjoying themselves hugely. - -But though Major Reid[14] had many visitors, he himself never once left -his post during these months of bitter fighting. He was guardian of the -Ridge, and cricket, quoits, and races appealed to him in vain. - - [14] Afterwards General Sir Charles Reid, K.C.B. - -The 60th Rifles and the Sirmuris had become the best of friends and -closest of chums, and in the early days of the fighting, when tobacco -was still to be obtained without difficulty, little Gurkhas and heavy -Yorkshiremen or sprightly Cockneys might be seen sitting side by side, -smoking their pipes contentedly, and offering one another tobacco by -signs, being unable to exchange a word. - -By the end of June the casualties among the Rifles, Guides, and Gurkhas -had been terrible, and the top room of the house had been turned into a -Gurkha hospital, for the wounded Nepalese refused to leave their post. -Their British comrades offered to carry them to the big hospital in the -cantonments below, where comparative peace and quietness reigned, and -where they might have the best medical aid, but the Gurkhas would have -none of it. They preferred to stay by their comrades, to listen to the -shot and shell whistling around, to hear the news each day--who had -distinguished himself, and whether their beloved Major Reid and his -officers were still unharmed. So Reid, with tears of pride in his eyes, -yielded to the wish of his children, and there they stayed. - -The troops had been reinforced, but no siege-train had arrived. At their -various posts in the Punjab John Lawrence, Herbert Edwardes, and John -Nicholson were recruiting the wild Sikhs and still wilder Pathans into -regiments of irregular cavalry and infantry. Edwardes, Nicholson, and -Brigadier Cotton, in command at Peshawur, the gate of India, had so -impressed the tribes under their sway with the might of England, that -these fierce men, though at first ready to join the rebels, had changed -their tone, and now volunteered to fight against the sahibs' enemy. - -Old men, young men, and men of middle age brought their horses and -weapons before these great Englishmen, and begged to be allowed to -enlist. So week by week some Punjabi,[15] Sikh, or Pathan regiments of -foot or horse would march proudly to the Delhi camp, sent down by -command of John Lawrence, who himself could ill afford to spare them. -The first reinforcements to arrive were the 1st and 2nd Punjab Infantry -and the 4th Sikhs. The 1st P.N.I, were commanded by Major Coke, and were -known as "Coke's Rifles" or as "Cokeys", and a gallant lot they proved, -as did indeed their comrade corps. - - [15] The Punjabi corps would consist chiefly of Mohammedan - inhabitants of the Punjab, Sikhs, and Pathans, with some - Jats and Dogras. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -Ted's Hopes are raised and dashed to the Ground - - -"Have you seen the new arrivals, Ted?" asked Jim, as he came back from a -visit to cantonments one day. - -"No, who are they?" - -"Hodson's Horse, the 'Flamingoes' as they've been nicknamed, from the -colour of their sashes. Go down and look at them; they're worth seeing, -and so is Hodson, their commandant." - -"Is he the Lieutenant Hodson who once commanded our regiment?" asked -Ted, who had heard of the famous freelance. - -"That's the man. He got into trouble with the Guides, and now he's been -allowed to raise this regiment of horse." - -So the two chums waited until both were free from duty, and went down to -look at the stalwart Sikh and Pathan horsemen, who afterwards became -known to fame as the 9th and 10th Bengal Lancers throughout Hindustan -and its frontiers, and in China, Egypt, the Soudan, and Abyssinia. A -crowd had gathered round the gaudily-attired "Flamingoes", who sat their -horses proudly, much gratified by the reception. They were about to -exercise the horses. - -"Not so bad," said Ted approvingly; "but not quite up to our Guides--eh, -Alec?" - -"They look good soldiers," Paterson replied. "Why,--well, I'm blowed! -What's Boldre doing there?" - -"Who?" - -"Claude Boldre! See, that kid on the rat-tailed dun, with a Flamingo -sash. I left him at school, and didn't even know he'd got a commission. -His father's the colonel of a regiment that mutinied recently, I heard. -He's a decent sort." - -Paterson walked behind his friend, who had not yet perceived them, and -dealt him a sounding smack on the thigh. - -"Come down off that horse, Boldre!" was his salutation. "Do you imagine -yourself a Flamingo?" - -"Who are--why, if it ain't Alec Paterson, by all that's wonderful! How -did you come here?" - -Alec explained briefly, and introduced Ted. - -"Oh, I've heard of you, Mr. Russell," said the horseman, "and I'm proud -to meet you." - -"Well, explain what you are doing here in that uniform. Didn't know they -had ensigns in Hodson's." - -"I'm a loot'nant," laughed Boldre; "that is, temporary rank conferred by -John Nicholson. I've no commission at all really, but I helped to raise -a troop or two of these fellows by sheer good luck." - -"You helped to raise them?" - -"Yes; I'll tell you the story some other time. They had captured me, and -were about to shoot me, when the news of Nicholson's disarming the -sepoys at Peshawur came to hand. Then they changed sides cheerfully, and -wanted to enlist under Nicholson, and I brought them along to Peshawur. -They are rummy beggars! It's first-class being with them. Where are you -now--upon the Ridge?" - -Ted explained their position, and Boldre promised to look them up as -soon as he could. Hodson then appeared on the scene, and the Flamingoes -trotted away. - -Early in July General Barnard died of cholera after a few hours' -illness. His successor, General Reed, had to relinquish the command -through ill-health before the middle of the month, so Sir Archdale -Wilson was appointed. He was the fourth general who had commanded the -force within the space of ten weeks. - -Now and again Ted was sent by Major Reid to bear his reports to the -general in command. On one of these occasions he had no sooner entered -the head-quarters tent than General Wilson greeted him with the amazing -words: - -"Ensign Russell! This is fortunate, for I was about to send for you." - -"Yes, sir," Ted replied, and wondered what was coming. - -"You distinguished yourself at Aurungpore, I understand?" - -"I was at Aurungpore, sir." - -The general regarded him curiously for a moment before he resumed. - -"Major Munro, who commanded your late regiment after the disablement of -the colonel, has recommended you for the Victoria Cross. I have looked -into the matter carefully, and cordially approve the recommendation, so -there is little doubt that you will obtain the decoration. I -congratulate you, Ensign Russell; you acted as an English lad should." - -Sir Archdale Wilson shook hands, and at the same time a man rose -painfully from his chair by the general's side--a man lame and feeble, -worn out by disease; a man who should have been in hospital, had not his -spirit been stronger than his body. He grasped the boy's hand, and -cordially exclaimed, "Well done, youngster! well done!" - -That man was Colonel Baird Smith, the great engineer, the man in whose -hands General Wilson had left all the operations for the capture of -Delhi; the man who was even now forming his great plan and scheming his -wonderful works for the assault. - -Ted left the tent, walking as if in a dream, hardly knowing whether he -stood on his head or his feet. The V.C.! He, Ted Russell, to have the -V.C.! - -He hurried back to consult with Alec, and it seemed as though every man, -horse or foot, officer, private, or humble bhisti, was looking at him -and discussing his good fortune. He started and came to himself as -Claude Boldre touched him on the shoulder. - -"How do you do, Mr. Russell?" he said. "If you are going up towards the -Gurkha picket I should like to go with you. Alec Paterson used to be a -great chum of mine at school. Oh! allow me to introduce you to -Lieutenant Roberts of the Bengal Artillery." - -Ted nodded to Boldre's companion, a young man, slight and short of -stature, with a frank, open countenance that told of an active, -intelligent brain, and a brave, true heart. He was attired in the -handsome uniform of the dashing Artillery Corps, and Ted liked his new -acquaintance at once. - -"I've only just arrived," said the gunner, "and I want to see -everything. Tell me all about Hindu Rao's house." - -Glad of the opportunity, the ensign told the story of the Ridge, and for -a few moments forgot the V.C. - -"You seem to have enjoyed yourself," Boldre commented. - -Ted blushed. "Well, it has been rather exciting, and you see I've not -suffered. It's different for those fellows who have." - -The artillery lieutenant smiled as he looked at the boy's cheek. - -"You seem to have had one cut at least," he observed. - -"Oh, that was nothing!" Ted replied. - -They had approached the Valley of the Shadow of Death, as a hollow on -the Ridge was called on account of its exposure to the rebel fire, when -a shell burst not forty yards away. Ted noticed with admiration that -though Boldre and he both started as if hit, the gunner officer never -turned a hair, but calmly completed the remark he was making. The boy -felt that he was in the presence of no ordinary man. Before taking his -visitors into the house Ted pointed out the different gates and bastions -of the city. As they were surveying these, Alec and Charlie came up. -Lieutenant Roberts looked steadfastly at the latter and exclaimed: - -"Hullo, ain't you Lieutenant Dorricot?" - -Charlie looked keenly at his questioner. - -"That's my name, but I don't know you from the Grand Mogul." - -"That's not strange; I was only thirteen and in the fourth form at Eton -when you left. I'm Fred Roberts, and we were both under the same tutor, -the Rev. Eyre Young. You were some years older than I, and I chiefly -remember you because I admired the way you once gave a jolly good -thrashing to a bully--I forget his name, but he was ill-treating a -youngster." - -Charlie laughed and shook hands, saying, "Turkey Bletcher, you mean! So -you remember that? What are you doing here?" - -"I've just come. Been with the Movable Column, but applied to come here, -and they gave me permission." - -"Are you on the staff?" - -"Yes; I've just applied for the post of -deputy-assistant-quartermaster-general for artillery, and I've been -lucky enough to get it." - -"So you're the D. A. Q. M. G., are you?" said Dorricot, with some -respect that one so young should have obtained this important post. - -They little thought that this slight and young lieutenant was destined -to become one of Britain's greatest and best-beloved soldiers, -Field-marshal Earl Roberts of Kandahar and Pretoria, V.C. - -"So you've been with Nicholson?" said Paterson, who was a great admirer -of that frontier hero and demi-god. "He's a wonderful leader, I -suppose?" - -"The finest soldier in the world!" Lieutenant Roberts quietly asserted. - -"Rather!" chimed in Claude Boldre. "He's a grand man. I've been lucky in -experiencing what the Pathans along the frontier think of him. They -consider him a sort of second Mahomet." - -"I suppose he's performing miracles in the Punjab," said Alec. "Is it -really true that they worship him as a god?" - -"Up in Hazara," replied the artilleryman, "they've formed a sect called -the Nikkulseyns, and though Nicholson only thrashed them when they -worshipped him, they considered it an honour to be whipped by him, and -those who didn't get a licking envied their more fortunate neighbours. -The fakir who founded the sect bothered Nikkulseyn to give him his old -beaver hat, and as he received no encouragement, the wily old gentleman -procured one like it. He then went the round of the shops at the busiest -time of the day, and placed the hat in the doorway, so that none might -leave or enter without removing or kicking it over. When customers were -about to enter, the fakir called out, warning them not to desecrate the -topi which had been worn by the great and mighty and holy Nikkulseyn. -Nicholson was such a power in the land that none dared remove it, and at -last the old fraud consented to take it away on being paid one rupee by -the shopkeeper. He would thereupon proceed to another shop and repeat -these tactics. When Nicholson heard of this he gave the fakir and his -disciples a sound hiding all round, but they only sang hymns of praise -to him." - -"He was worshipped in Bunnu almost as much as in Hazara, was he not?" -enquired Paterson; and Claude Boldre replied: - -"Yes, he was both worshipped and feared. Before he went there, an orphan -boy had been cheated out of his land by his guardian uncle, named -Allodad Khan. A few years later the young man went to law in order to -recover his property, but Allodad Khan, who was a rich powerful man, had -bribed and threatened all the village, and none would give evidence -against him. Nicholson heard of this, and guessed how matters stood. One -morning, just after dawn, a villager, going out early, was spell-bound -at seeing Nicholson's well-known white mare cropping the grass outside -the village. He ran back and breathlessly told the news. All the -inhabitants turned out to gaze, and someone quickly perceived Nicholson -himself tied to a tree close by. Their first thought was to run away, -but a few plucked up sufficient spirit to go tremblingly to the -commissioner's aid. In terrible wrath Nicholson asked who had dared to -treat him like this. They bowed before him, but so terrified were they -that no one could answer. 'Whose land is this, then?' he demanded. 'The -owner of the land is responsible.' The villagers pointed to Allodad -Khan, who fell on his knees, declaring, 'No, no, sahib, the land is my -nephew's. He is responsible for the outrage.' Nicholson sternly made him -swear to this before the whole village, and then the ruffian saw that -he'd been made a fool of. So the nephew got possession of the estate and -money, and Allodad Khan, finding the village too warm for him, went on a -pilgrimage to Mecca." - -"He must be a wonderful man," Alec murmured half to himself. "I wish -he'd come to Delhi." - -"He will," said Claude Boldre. "He as good as told me so when he sent me -off with the Flamingoes." - -Ted was all impatience to impart his great news, but modesty forbade him -while the strangers were present. The two visitors having inspected the -defences of the famous mansion, and criticised most favourably the -appearance of the Rifles, Guides, and Gurkhas, took their departure. - -"The general's told me that I'm to have the V.C., Alec," Ted whispered. - -"Honour bright?" - -Our ensign nodded. - -"Congratulations, old man,--and I think you deserved it. Ensign Russell, -V.C.!... Splendid, Ted!" - -"What's that?" asked Jim, who had joined the group. "You're to have the -V.C., young'un?" - -Ted then related what had passed, and Charlie Dorricot thumped him -violently in the small of the back. - -"Well done, Ted!" he shouted excitedly. "I am glad; you deserve it, you -cheeky little beggar!" - -Ted being called away for a moment, Jim gravely observed: - -"Well, I'm not so sure that I'm glad. He's having too much luck, and -will be thinking no end of himself unless he's careful. Of course I'm -very proud of him, but I'd have preferred him to win it a few years -later." - -"Oh, Ted's all right!" Charlie assured him. "He won't be spoiled. He's a -sterling sort of kid." - -At that moment the subject of the conversation returned, and a pause -ensued before the elder brother spoke. - -"Ted, I was just saying that I'm not quite sure whether I am very glad -or not." - -The ensign's face fell. - -"You won't misunderstand me, old chap, or think I'm jealous, but you're -very young, and too much luck is apt to turn our heads. I'm not saying -that you didn't deserve it, but don't go about thinking that you're a -very wonderful youngster, for there's many an ensign here would have -done the same. If it makes you conceited, Ted, it will be a very bad -thing for you ever to have won it. But if you're a man, and if you don't -put on 'side', all of us will rejoice in your honours." - -Ted was silent for a few moments, then held out his hand to his brother. - -"I understand, old man; I know there are many who'd have done it, and -perhaps done it better. I'll try to remember that." - -"Well done, Ted!" cried his cousin. "I think you'll do, young 'un. Jim's -rather inclined to preach, but he's all right." - -Ted and Alec repaired to the Flagstaff Tower, the meeting-place of the -British camp, situated on the Ridge about a mile north of the Gurkha -picket, overlooking the artillery lines and the head-quarters camp, the -latter being about half a mile farther to the north-west. From the -Flagstaff Tower the road ran straight to the Kashmir Gate, and as the -ground was high and the place well out of range, it was a favourite spot -whence to gaze at the rebel town. - -Ted was very thoughtful, and Alec very silent. The former's ardour had -been damped by his brother's speech, and he wondered whether Jim really -was jealous of his good fortune. He dismissed the idea as unworthy of -Jim, whose honour and grit he appreciated fully. Still, it was rather a -damper, and he could not help wishing that his brother had been less -candid. - -It was at the Flagstaff Tower that our friends of the Gurkha picket were -accustomed to hear the news of the camp. There they learned of many -deeds of valour; of the wonderful daring of Tombs of the Artillery, how -he had rescued his equally brave subaltern, Hills, from certain death, -and how he had had five horses shot under him already. "One almost every -time he goes out," commented Ensign Collins of the 8th Foot. It was -there they had heard of the arrival of Colonel Baird Smith, the chief -engineer. "He's the man who'll take Delhi," a youngster of the "Cokeys" -had prophesied; and that lad was not far wrong. - -But on this day the bearers of news from camp wore troubled looks. Some -unwelcome tidings had evidently arrived since Ted's visit below. - -"Anything wrong to-day?" Alec anxiously enquired. - -"Cawnpore has fallen, and the black fiends have murdered the whole -garrison, women and children too--the hell-hounds!" - -Ted shuddered as he listened to the details of that awful butchery. - -Edward Russell was a lad who had faults enough, but he had never been -cruel. He would not needlessly torture the humblest of God's creatures, -yet he felt, as he listened to the horrible tidings, that nothing would -give him greater pleasure than the blowing up of Delhi and of every -sepoy therein. Unhappily this red-hot indignation was nursed by many -Englishmen until they forgot the traditions of their race. - -The few hundred Englishmen in Cawnpore had been attacked by Dundu Pant, -Rajah of Bithur, better known as the infamous Nana Sahib, a man who had -posed as a civilized Asiatic, an imitator of the English. The garrison, -composed of detachments of several regiments, of civilians, and of -officers whose regiments had risen, was trapped in a position unsuited -to a long defence. After a gallant stand, General Sir Hugh Wheeler was -convinced that in another day or two all would be over, and for the sake -of the women and children, who numbered more than three hundred, he -agreed to make terms. Dundu Pant swore that if they would give up the -entrenchment, the guns, and the treasure, he would have them all -conveyed in boats down the Ganges to a place of safety. The black -Mahratta's promises and protestations deceived them all, and they -embarked. The boats were taken out into mid-stream, when suddenly a -bugle blew; the boatmen sprang into the river, and from both banks lines -of hidden sepoy marksmen began to pick off the betrayed Feringhis. Four -Europeans escaped to tell the tale. The lucky ones were those who were -killed by the bullets. Many were taken alive from the water, and of -these the men were murdered at once; the women and children were led -away to endure a captivity of more than a fortnight's duration. Hearing -of Havelock's approach, Dundu Pant then performed the second act of the -ghastly tragedy which has made his name world-infamous. The poor -captives, numbering perhaps two hundred, were hacked to death, and their -bodies thrown down a well. - -Small wonder that British blood should boil over when the story was -told; small wonder that the men of the 60th Rifles should shake their -fists as they looked from the Ridge into the rebel capital, towards the -distant palace and home of vice, and should vow vengeance on every -faithless sepoy, be he Mohammedan like the King of Delhi or Hindu like -the Mahratta rajah. - -And Cawnpore was not the only scene of murder and outrage. The army -before Delhi was cut off from Calcutta and the Gangetic provinces, and -news did not come every day. But with the tale of the vilest tragedy of -all came also the bad tidings from Allahabad, where the poor ensigns -were foully murdered, from Benares and Jhansi, from Fyzabad, -Shahjehanpur, and Dinapur. Right along the Ganges the provinces and -towns seethed with mutiny and murder, regiment after regiment having -risen against the alien; and Oudh, the kingdom from which the Native -Bengal Army was chiefly recruited, was ablaze from one end to another, -the people joining hands with the rebels in their hatred of the -foreigners who had dethroned their wicked king. - -There was one patch of blue in the lowering sky. Lucknow, the capital of -Oudh, was holding out bravely. There the best and greatest and most -loved man in India was holding the rebel troops at bay with his handful -of Englishmen and a number of loyal sepoys, who thereby won everlasting -honour. This was Sir Henry Lawrence, the elder brother of John Lawrence. -He it was who had pacified the Punjabis, and first taught the stout -Sikhs and Pathans and Jats that Englishmen ruled for the benefit of the -natives. He it was who gathered round him and trained that band of noble -men who ruled the Punjab in such manner that Englishmen came to be -respected and honoured and even loved by those who had hated the -Feringhis most, a few years before. Men like his brother John, John -Nicholson, Herbert Edwardes, and others who became famous as great -soldiers and the best administrators the world has ever known--they were -all proud to call themselves the disciples of Henry Lawrence. Henry -Lawrence governed the Punjab as supreme ruler--as king, in fact, though -not in name, when the Punjab was the most turbulent and unruly kingdom -in Asia, and he had made it the best-governed. When he was called away -his brother John had worthily filled his shoes, and but for the devotion -and genius and goodness of heart of these two brothers, England might -have lost India. - -When the mutiny broke out, Henry Lawrence was Resident of Oudh. Had he -been there a few years longer, the men of Oudh would not have -entertained that hatred of the British which now filled their hearts, -but his beneficent rule had hardly had time to make itself felt. He -alone--though he sympathized with and loved the natives of India more -than any other Englishman--had foreseen the possibility of the rising, -and he had taken steps to meet it in Lucknow. Owing to his foresight and -generalship the Residency had been fortified and provisioned, and when -the rising took place all the Europeans were within the fort, and the -mutineers raged furiously but in vain. - -Our friends at Delhi learned that Havelock and Neill were leading a -small column to the rescue of Lucknow, fighting every inch of the way. -Neill had been hastily summoned from Madras with his gallant regiment, -and had already done splendid work. Lord Canning, the viceroy, had risen -to the occasion. Without hesitating he had brought back Outram's Persia -Expeditionary Force, and had courageously taken upon himself to stop at -Colombo the ships which were taking troops to China, and divert them to -Calcutta. China might wait, India could not. - -In the Punjab the poorbeahs had shot their bolt and had missed. First -Chamberlain and then Nicholson, with the movable column, were giving the -rebels no rest, harrying them from one province to another, and -punishing them severely. - -It was not at the Flagstaff Tower, but at their own post that they heard -the news that made each man feel as if he had lost a dear friend. Henry -Lawrence was dead. Yes, one of the pillars of the empire had fallen, and -even the roughest soldiers felt the shock. - -"Ah, he was a man, he was!" murmured a rifleman. "We sha'n't see another -like him." - -A sergeant of the 60th gazed thoughtfully over the city. - -"My two kids are in that asylum he built up at Sanawar," said he. "He -was the sojer's friend. The kiddies 'ud have bin dead by now if it -hadn't bin for 'im." - -"You're right there," said another non-commissioned officer, shaking -his head. "He's done more for us than any man. Who cared what became of -the poor little beggars, whether they died like flies or not, till he -raised the money for the asylums?" - -"What asylums are them?" asked a young private. - -"Have ye no' heard o' the Lawrence Asylums?" demanded a man from Lanark. -"They're built on the hills, whaur the air is as guid as at Rothesay, -an' they're for the soldiers' bairns." - -"Aye!" said the sergeant; "and though he was only a poor man for one in -his position, they said he spent nearly all his salary in charity." - -"Lucknow won't be long now he's dead," muttered another. "They can't -hold out for ever, and the rebels are swarming round Havelock. He's had -to fall back." - -But Lucknow was not destined to fall. - -"Well, I'm not a cruel man," muttered the young private, "but I could -kill a few o' them sepoys with pleasure, the black-'earted villains!" - -We may regret this longing for vengeance, but can we wonder at it? The -men had heard of their comrades murdered in cold blood, of the women and -children tortured and slain most barbarously, and their blood boiled at -the outrages. Afterwards it was found that the tales of torture and -cruelty had been exaggerated, and that the helpless women and children -had been slain quickly and not after prolonged suffering. But even then -matters were black enough to excuse the cries for vengeance. Many good -and usually gentle men steeled their hearts at this time and gave no -quarter to rebel soldiers, but let us thank God that there were many -brave Englishmen--the Lawrences foremost among them--who forgave a great -deal to the sepoys, and who took into account their temptations and -their untamed nature, and who would much rather have won the rebels -over by kindness than by slaughter had it been possible. - -But that was not possible. - -A number of the older soldiers of the Guides came up as the riflemen -were still discussing the latest news. A veteran native officer, grief -depicted on his weather-beaten countenance, addressed Captain Russell in -tones of mingled sadness and anxiety. - -"Is it true, Captain Sahib, that Henry Larens is dead? Tell us it is -false." - -Jim's voice faltered. Henry Lawrence had been the hero he had -worshipped. - -"It is true," said he, simply. - -"I would have given my life to save his, sahib," said the old Sikh. "His -was the brain that raised the Corps of Guides, and he it was who gave me -my commission. Oh, my brothers, a great man is dead! Let us go and mourn -for Larens Sahib." - -The veteran drew his sword and shook it at the sepoys on the walls. - -"Wait a little while," he added, "and there will be many mourners in -that den of jackals." - -The heat was now terrible--a torture that could not be imagined by the -people at home; that took the life and energy from the strongest, while -as for the others--well, they must suffer the fate of the weak. In the -daytime the pitiless Indian sun blazed down upon them, awful in its -power and wrath, and at night they gasped for air, and choked, and -cursed, or grimly joked, or called upon God, according to their nature. - -Ted Russell, healthy and in good condition, with no superfluous flesh, -suffered less than most. He had one slight attack of cholera in the -early days of July. One day, having been on duty all night, he lay -within the house, in little more than bathing-costume, vainly trying to -snatch an hour's sleep, for the Mori guns were hard at work. Overhead -the sky was of a uniform deep-blue, broken only by the mass of fire -almost directly above, and by the haze along the horizon. - -As if by magic, the thundering of the guns from the Delhi bastions -ceased, and the well-known strains of our National Anthem were wafted by -the south wind from the Mogul city. - -"'God Save the Queen!'" gasped Ted. "What's the meaning of that?" - -All listened in bewilderment. What could it mean? Had the sepoys -suddenly repented and become loyal again? As the band ceased, the big -guns of the city thundered forth a royal salute, and then were silent as -the band again played "God Save the Queen!". - -"What cheek! What awful cheek!" Alec indignantly exclaimed. "Well, that -beats everything!" - -"What is it?" asked Ted again. "What are they playing that tune for?" - -"They are mocking us," Claud Boldre angrily replied. "They have heard -what we heard this morning. The curs have captured Agra town, and now I -suppose they're gloating over their victory and making fun of us." - -His guess was true; the sepoys had taken this strange method of -celebrating their triumph. It shows they were not without some sense of -humour. - -Among the crowd attracted to the "Flagstaff" meeting-place by the -unusual strains were many of our hero's new chums. Both he and Alec had -formed close friendships with a number of the junior officers from the -camp below the Ridge, and Ted particularly had become very popular. He -had both proved himself courageous and shown good commonsense, and he -never once attempted to put on "side". The terrible danger he had gone -through at Aurungpore had steadied down his love of fun and joking, and -made him realize his responsibilities. Had he come straight to Delhi -without having undergone that trying experience in the arsenal, he would -soon have found some mischief in which to entangle his Guides and -Gurkhas. They would have been only too delighted to have joined in any -fun, however rash and hazardous. - -"I say, Russell," observed Ensign Collins of the 8th Foot, "you're a -lucky beggar, you know. You've had your fair share of the fun." - -"Fair share!" growled Claud Boldre. "Why, in his twelve months' service -he's had more than most colonels can boast of in as many years. First he -goes exploding magazines up and down the country, and instead of being -blown up he gets the V.C. Then he's boxed up and besieged, and -thrillingly rescued like a scene out of a melodrama; after that he's -lucky enough to take part in the grandest march on record; and now he's -on duty at Hindu Rao's picket, where all the fighting is. Fair share, -indeed! It ought to have been divided amongst half a dozen of us." - -"And it ain't that he's particularly handsome," laughed Alec. - -Ted grinned. He was too decent a fellow to become conceited, and he -admitted that he had had more than his share of the luck. - -They were still joking when something happened that tended to confirm -their belief in our ensign's luck. One of the general's aides came up -and told Ted that Sir Archdale wished to speak to him at once. - -"You'll come back a lieutenant at least, Ted," was Alec's unasked-for -opinion. - -"Lieutenant indeed!" laughed Collins. "I expect he's going to order -Russell to blow up Delhi _à la_ Aurungpore." - -"Or else resign the command in Russell's favour," was Boldre's -suggestion. - -Ted grinned back at them all, but his heart beat somewhat rapidly as he -was ushered into the head-quarters tent, and it was to beat much more -wildly before he left. - -Sir Archdale looked up as the boy entered, and went on with his work for -some moments, and Ted stood at attention and wondered what was going to -happen. At length the general again glanced up from his papers. He was -evidently very busy. - -"You sent for me, sir?" Ted faltered. - -"Yes. I am sorry that my duty is much less pleasant than on the previous -occasion, when I prematurely raised your hopes of the V.C." - -Ted gasped. - -"I hope it may still be all right," General Wilson continued, "but this -morning I received notice from Colonel Munro that there is another -claimant to the honour of having exploded the magazine at Aurungpore." - -Ted was utterly bewildered. He could not find a word to say. - -"It seems that another officer of yours--let me see," the general took -up a letter that lay on the table, and referred thereto. "Ah, Ensign -Tynan!--was taken prisoner by the sepoys, but rescued; and his story is -that he was in command of the party holding the fort, and that it was he -who fired the train. His account is confirmed by a native officer who -saved his life, and who was present." - -"Why, sir, there was no native officer in the party," Ted exclaimed, "no -one higher than a havildar, and he was with me all the time.--So Tynan -is really alive, sir?" - -"Evidently. Of course, I am in no position to judge between you, and I -know nothing beyond the bald facts just related. If you dispute his -statements an enquiry will have to be held later." - -"His statements!" said Ted indignantly. "Why, sir, he implored me to -surrender, and not to fire the train, and Ambar Singh, the havildar, -will bear me out. Thinking he was dead, I never told that to a soul, -sir; but if he has lied in this way, he deserves to be shown up." - -"I trust that no British officer would act as you allege, Ensign -Russell," said the general coldly. "At present I can say nothing more, -and I am very busy. Rest assured that justice will be done." - -Ted saluted stiffly, and walked out. If he had felt dazed on the -previous occasion, what were his feelings now? Full of indignation -against his dishonourable messmate, and of intense disappointment -because of the probable loss of the coveted honour, he strode back to -the Gurkha picket, and told Jim and Paterson what had happened. - -They could hardly credit the story. They both knew Tynan's character, -and Alec had heard Ambar Singh's free version of the incident, and they -felt no doubt regarding the result of any enquiry. - -"Don't be downcast, Ted, old boy," said Jim affectionately. "It will -soon be all right." - -"But who can the native officer be?" Alec wondered. "It's a mystery." - -"I can't make it out," Ted replied. "Anyway Ambar Singh and Dwarika Rai -will give evidence, and then where will Master Tynan be?" - -"But look here, Ted," said his brother in an agitated voice. "Where are -those two? They may have been drafted into some other regiment and sent -a thousand miles away, or both may be killed. Or they may have been -allowed to return home, and have left no trace. In that case it would be -your word against Tynan's, and though no one who knows you both could -have any doubt, yet his word will be as good as yours at the enquiry. I -do hope it will come out all right, old boy." - -"I'm sure it will," said Alec. "Cheer up, Ted!" - -More easily said than done, and our ensign went about his work with a -heavy and angry heart. Fortunately for his peace of mind, when the news -spread, Boldre, Collins, and all his chums rallied round him, and voted -the absent Tynan a beast and a liar. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -Ted's Friends are Bewildered - - -The 4th Sikhs had left Aurungpore for Delhi, and the fort was garrisoned -by a corps of the newly-recruited Punjab Irregulars, of whom Major Munro -was in command, with Leigh as his second in command. Colonel Woodburn -was now able to hobble about, helped by a stick and his daughter's arm. -Sir Arthur Fletcher had resumed the administration of justice, the shops -were open once more, and the town had settled down almost to its normal -state. - -One day late in June Ethel and her father were seated in the officers' -quarters of the fort, whither the colonel was wont to resort daily to -talk over the latest rumours and reports. Munro and Leigh were lamenting -their fate, tied down to police and depot duty, when they wanted to be -up and doing before Delhi. - -"I am sending a draft to Delhi to-morrow," said the major, "and there's -a new batch of recruits due to-day--raw peasants, who must be polished -up." - -"It is rough on us being shut up here," said Leigh, "drilling and -training the raw material, and as soon as they are soldiers, comes an -order from John Lawrence saying, 'How many can you send to Delhi?' -Still, if we were not here, there'd soon be a rumpus again." - -"How many do you send off to-morrow?" the colonel asked. - -"A hundred; all Sikhs, and fine men too. They go to Lahore first to be -inspected by Sir John, and then they join other detachments going to -Delhi.---- Well, what is it?" - -An orderly had entered. - -"The draft has arrived, sahib." - -"Very good. Send the officer in charge to me." - -Who should enter the room but Ensign Tynan? The four occupants started -to their feet. They had not heard of his escape from death, and firmly -believed he had been blown to pieces, his body never having been found, -for the best of reasons. Tynan was white, and looked ill both in body -and mind, and he trembled from head to foot. - -"Tynan! Can it be possible, my lad?" cried Colonel Woodburn, holding out -his hand. "I never thought to see you again." - -Tynan saluted his colonel, and bowed to Ethel. He hesitated, however, -and his face flushed as she stepped forward with outstretched hand to -greet him. Stammering some more or less appropriate reply, he sat down -in a palpable and inexplicable state of nervousness. - -In reply to the shower of questions, he told the story of his rescue. -Not the true story, but one he had had plenty of time to fabricate, and -had repeated over and over again to himself in readiness for the dread -moment. He was committed now to the statements contained in that -detestable document--the trap set for him by the unscrupulous Pir Baksh. -The paper had passed from hand to hand, from one officer to another, and -he would have to attest its truth before Colonel Woodburn and Major -Munro. No wonder he was agitated. Before strangers he had repeated the -lie with comparative calmness and confidence, but the officers of the -193rd knew both Russell and himself too well, and he had little doubt -whom they would be most ready to believe. - -He had only recently heard that Ted and the two sepoys had also been -saved from destruction, and he did not know what account of the incident -Ted had given to the world, neither was he aware that his cowardice had -been reported by Ambar Singh. - -He told the story of his escape with unusual caution and deliberation, -and painted in more glowing colours the services rendered by Pir Baksh, -to whom he gave credit for risking his life in order to save Tynan's. -His audience opened their eyes, and Munro interposed: - -"But Russell distinctly stated that Pir Baksh was one of the -ringleaders." - -"So he appeared to be, sir, but he was forced to play that rôle. He -tried to save us in the fort, but Russell would not trust him. I felt -sure that he was genuine, and was doing his best to hold the others -back." - -"Oh, indeed!" said the major drily; "yet Russell informed us that you -told him and Lowthian that you saw Pir Baksh shoot the colonel." - -"Russell told you that, sir!" Tynan replied with an air of great -surprise. "He must have misunderstood me completely." - -Tynan had forgotten his unlucky remark, and bitterly he repented the -cowardice that had landed him in this net. It was the old story of the -first easy lie that had to be supported and buttressed by innumerable -untruths. - -"Not Pir Baksh, sir," he continued hastily. "It was Abdul Din who shot -Colonel Woodburn. I think I see how it was. When they were attacking us, -Abdul Din stood by the side of Pir Baksh, and when I pointed, saying, -'That's the fellow who fired the shot!' they must have thought I meant -Pir Baksh." - -"Oh!" - -His hearers hardly knew what to think. Tynan's tale was plausible -enough, and Ted might easily have been mistaken. Perhaps after all Pir -Baksh had been judged too hastily, and had been less of a scoundrel -than they had imagined. He had always seemed a friendly fellow, -apparently proud of his regiment. - -"And after your rescue by the Gurkhas?" asked Colonel Woodburn. - -"I had the fever for at least a fortnight, sir. My first thought when I -heard that Aurungpore was saved was to report myself, and I received -orders from Colonel Bratherton at Jehanabad to take Pir Baksh with me, -as an investigation of his conduct must be held by his C.O. We were to -have accompanied the 49th Punjabis, but at the last moment they were -ordered to Delhi, so I was told to wait for this draft and bring them -here." - -"I suppose," asked Colonel Woodburn "that some enquiry was held, -considering the suspicious conduct of Pir Baksh at the moment of your -rescue?" - -"Yes, sir;" and Tynan's agitation increased. "I have to hand you the -statement signed by the officer whose men rescued me, and of course the -subadar's character must be cleared." - -He handed various documents to the major, and broke into a perspiration -as he anticipated the coming amazement, incredulity, and growing -suspicion. He hated Ethel Woodburn for being there, and would have given -anything to have induced her to leave. - -It was surely by the irony of fate that Tynan, being in command of the -draft, was also responsible for the safe custody of Pir Baksh, whose -final disappearance he longed and prayed for. The Moslem had tried hard -to find some excuse for slipping away, but Captain Hornby had kept him -under arrest, and so had Colonel Bratherton, both having their own -opinion of the fellow's loyalty. Pir Baksh was no more anxious to be off -than was Tynan to rid himself of his "old man of the sea". - -In fact the subadar of the 193rd was having a less anxious time than his -accomplice, for he still hoped, by force of lying, to pull through the -enquiry. He reflected that in all probability he had not been recognized -by anyone except Russell, who was at Delhi, having been more concerned -with the attacks on the fort than with those on the house, and neither -he nor Tynan were aware that Ambar Singh and Dwarika Rai had been saved. -Of course the budmashes of Aurungpore would know the part he had played, -but they would say nothing for fear of incriminating themselves. - -Major Munro first read through Colonel Bratherton's covering letter and -looked hard at Tynan, who was sitting in profound contemplation of his -boots, and boorishly repelling the friendly advances made by Ethel. -Munro then read Hornby's report of the rescue, and finally the -remarkable papers signed by Tynan and Pir Baksh. Colonel Woodburn, -watching him narrowly, saw that the major was striving hard to overcome -some strong emotion. The contents mastered, he handed the documents to -his former colonel without a word. - -"I don't believe a word of it," said the latter, throwing the papers on -the table. - -Tynan flushed. - -"My word should be as good as Russell's," he muttered; "but he was -always in favour, and you were always down on me." - -"It has been your fault, Tynan," said the major mildly, "if we have had -a higher opinion of Russell than of you. Russell said nothing about this -affair, and gave you as much credit as himself, until Ambar Singh told -us the whole story." - -This was another blow for Tynan, for he had not heard that Ambar Singh -was to be reckoned with. He was becoming more and more entangled in the -meshes. - -"Ambar Singh?" said he after a moment's hesitation. "I expect he did it -to curry favour by praising Russell." - -It was now Ethel's turn to flush. She was on the point of expressing a -very decided opinion, when a look from her father checked the words. It -was no business of hers at present. - -"That is not very likely, Tynan," the major replied. "To speak plainly, -this won't wash with us, though it may do for strangers who know nothing -about the matter. You've had fever, and you've imagined all this and -forgotten what really happened." - -Tynan heartily wished that this had been the case, and the colonel -pointed out that the document was signed before the fever, not after. - -"But I expect the poor fellow was raving," said Munro, "after the shock -and the blow on his head." - -"It's perfectly true," Tynan vehemently asserted as the major's words -gave him an idea. Dull though he was, like many foolish people he had a -certain amount of cunning. - -"Why should it not be true?" he continued. "I don't wish to say anything -against Ted Russell, but I don't see why he should have the credit -that's due to me." - -"Tell us, then," suggested Colonel Woodburn, "what really did happen in -the fort, and when the idea of blowing up the magazine first occurred to -you." - -"As soon as we got inside," Tynan doggedly answered, "I whispered to -Russell that perhaps we should be reduced to that. I whispered, because -I did not wish the Rajputs to suspect. Then during one of the quiet -intervals I slipped away and laid a trail of powder from the magazine to -the door of the room we were holding. I didn't carry it farther, for the -same reason--fear of our sepoys' terror." - -Tynan had now completely abandoned himself to the father of lies, and he -went on recklessly. - -"When Pir Baksh offered to save our lives I felt convinced that he -really wished to help us. Russell and I quarrelled because he would not -trust him." - -"Then you admit that you would have surrendered the stores and munitions -had it not been for Russell?" the colonel coldly remarked. - -"No, sir, I would not. I should first have made conditions that before -we marched out the sepoys must clear away and leave the streets clear -for us, and I believe Pir Baksh could have induced them to agree, and I -should have lighted a slow match as we left the place and run for it. -But Russell would not give me the chance of explaining, and he -influenced the sepoys against me and closed the negotiations before I'd -any chance of showing what I meant." - -"Well, go on," said the colonel more kindly. - -"Well, sir, I will say this for Russell, that he was very plucky, and at -the end, when all was hopeless, he finished the powder-trail. Until then -Ambar Singh and the others had not dreamt of my plans." - -He broke off abruptly, and, as though suddenly enlightened, continued: - -"I see it now! I dare say that Ambar Singh really did think that Russell -alone was responsible. When it came to firing the powder I claimed the -right to do it, but he had hold of the candle, and said he had taken -over the command, that he'd deposed me, and he would do it. We had a bit -of a scuffle, and he threatened me with a pistol. So he set the powder -alight. But I claim that I was in command; it was my suggestion, and I -laid most of the train, and therefore I should have the credit. I will -say for Russell that he backed me up well, and was plucky. That's all -I've got to say." - -Woodburn and Munro were silent for some time. Tynan's tale was certainly -plausible enough, and it seemed as if there might have been -misunderstanding. Perhaps Ted had been too hasty in thinking that Tynan -was willing to surrender unconditionally. Still, it was very strange -that he had never mentioned that Tynan had first suggested the -explosion, and that he had laid the train. Though, now they came to -think of it, Ted had at first said "we". They had put it down to -modesty, yet the words might have been correct. Could it be that when -Ambar Singh had given his version, the temptation to take the credit to -himself, now that he believed Tynan dead, had been too strong for the -boy? - -This was not like Ted, but in justice to Tynan they must admit that it -was possible. - -"We must consider your report, Tynan," said the major. "If any wrong has -been done to you, we will try our best to get at the truth without any -favouritism. Go and see to your men now. We dine in an hour." - -"Well, Woodburn, what do you make of it?" he continued, when the ensign -had departed. - -"I can't make head or tail of it. There is evidently room for doubt, and -it may have been as he says." - -"I'm afraid I was hasty in sending off that recommendation for the -V.C.," said Munro, "because if Tynan's tale is true, Ted will not be -entitled to it." - -"You'd better put that right at once," advised the colonel. "Write and -explain that there is some doubt." - -"I will at once. I hope the letter may be received before anything has -been said to Ted. It would be cruel to raise the lad's hopes." - -"I don't believe a word of what Tynan has said," Ethel declared. "I'm -sure he was lying. I was watching his eyes all the time, and there was -no truth in them." - -"It may be so, but I must write," said Munro. - -For a long time the major wrestled with pen and paper before he -composed a letter to his satisfaction. The contents we already know, and -how they dashed Ted's hopes to the ground. The missive sealed, the -colonel observed: - -"I suppose we can trace Havildar Ambar Singh? His evidence will be -wanted." - -Ambar Singh had returned to his home in Merwar. The 193rd had been -disbanded, and the few who remained loyal had been drafted into the -newly-raised corps. But the havildar was not in a fit condition to -endure the strain of a campaign, so he had gone home to recruit his -health. However, they thought they knew where to find him. - -"We can hold no enquiry," said the major, "until Delhi has fallen and -Ted is free again, and the case ought certainly to be tried before -officers other than those of the 193rd. We are hardly impartial, our -sympathies being with Ted. Luckily Dwarika Rai is still here, and he may -throw some light on the subject." - -For Dwarika Rai, the fourth survivor of Lowthian's handful, had been -promoted to the rank of havildar, and was now employed in drilling the -raw material and teaching them the beauties of the goose-step. - -"I'll drive Ethel home," said the colonel, "and come back presently with -Sir Arthur, and we'll examine Dwarika Rai." - -When the Woodburns had gone, Tynan returned to dine with Munro and -Leigh. The colonel and the deputy-commissioner entered as the officers -were smoking after their meal, and Dwarika Rai was sent for. - -The Rajput entered the room, and in the act of saluting started back on -beholding Tynan, who also gave a start and rose to his feet. - -"Why!" he gasped, for no warning had been given him, "what is he doing -here? I thought only Russell and I and Ambar Singh were saved." - -Dwarika Rai still stood open-mouthed as though he had seen a ghost. - -"He also was saved," explained the major. "Dwarika Rai, it is indeed -Tynan Sahib." - -"I am rejoiced to see him, for I thought he was dead," said the soldier -simply. - -"We wish to recall to your memory some of the events that took place in -the fortress when you were attacked," Munro began. "Didst thou notice -the part taken by Pir Baksh during the fighting? Was he a ringleader?" - -"Indeed, sahib, I'm not sure. Russell Sahib and Ambar Singh considered -him so, but I could not help thinking that he wished us well. He seemed -to fire without aiming, and never hit anyone, and I verily believe that -he wished to save our lives. But the others would not trust him, and -perhaps they were right." - -Munro and the colonel looked at one another. - -"Your opinion, then, was that he had been forced to rebel?" - -"I thought it might be so, Colonel Sahib; in fact, once after the firing -had been hot, Bisesar Singh whispered to me that the heart of Pir Baksh -was not in the affair. When I asked him why, he replied that the subadar -had covered him with his musket, and then winked at him and fired high. -Yet sometimes he appeared to lead the dogs; but perhaps that was to -divert suspicion, perhaps he had to feign to be as faithless as -themselves whenever they were watching him." - -"That is probable enough," Sir Arthur whispered to his colleagues. -"Under the circumstances I can quite understand a man doing that." - -"Yes, so can I," the colonel agreed. "Ted and Ambar Singh might easily -have been mistaken, and have misjudged him." - -When Leigh had finished recording the evidence, Major Munro asked Tynan -to retire for a few moments. He then questioned Dwarika Rai as to who -laid the powder train. - -"Russell Sahib, I think," was the reply. - -"Did you notice Tynan Sahib enter the magazine?" - -"Yes, sahib, before they battered the door in. He was away some time, -and I wondered why." - -The major turned to his colleagues and observed in English: - -"Tynan's tale is true so far;" and the others nodded assent. - -"Tell us, then," asked Leigh, "is it true that Tynan Sahib tried to -prevent Russell Sahib firing the train?" - -"In short," said the deputy-commissioner, "did Ensign Tynan act as an -officer or as a coward?" - -"Nay," the man earnestly replied, "I do not like Tynan Sahib overmuch, -greatly preferring Russell Sahib, but he was not a coward. He was very -much excited, as we all were, and he tried to snatch the candle from his -comrade's hand. But I thought they were contesting who should light the -train, as if it matters who did it. The important thing is that it was -done." - -The Englishmen whispered together, and presently Munro said: "You may -go, Dwarika Rai." - -"I must say," began Colonel Woodburn, "his evidence confirms Tynan's in -every important respect. I'm afraid we've done the lad a serious -injustice." - -"Yet his account differs from Russell's in point of actual fact, not -merely in the interpretation put upon facts," the deputy-commissioner -argued. - -"Ted was probably excited, and the shock may have temporarily affected -his memory," Leigh suggested. - -"Ted is certainly to blame," said Munro. "He may easily have mistaken -Tynan's excitement for terror." - -Said Leigh: - -"We forget. Ted Russell never accused Tynan of cowardice. That was Ambar -Singh." - -"But Ted did not deny it," said Munro, "and he ought to have done so. -But when asked, he did state implicitly that the suggestion was wholly -his. Either he or Tynan is lying. We must have a full enquiry, and -meanwhile Tynan must be treated as 'not guilty' of cowardice." - -"My humble opinion," said Leigh thoughtfully, "is that I'd believe Ted -Russell's word against Tynan's oath. I don't understand it." - -Had he seen Dwarika Rai's cheerful nod, as, returning to the men's -quarters, he passed Ensign Tynan, he might have understood it better. - -The havildar was a brave and loyal fellow, but he was a Hindu with a -Hindu's respect for truth. Tynan, returning after the first interview -with his superior officers, had almost run into Dwarika Rai as he -entered the men's quarters. The surprise was great on both sides. - -"I'm done for," was the first thought of our unscrupulous ensign. "This -fellow will knock my tale on the head." His next was: "Why not bribe him -to confirm what I have said?" - -No one was looking on; he drew the Rajput aside into the orderly-room -from which he had just emerged, and offered him a big bribe to bear -false witness. The sepoy was greatly in want of money. In common with so -many others of his class, the fields owned and tilled by many -generations of his forbears were hopelessly mortgaged to the -money-lending parasites, the curse of Hindustan. Here a sum was offered -that might redeem them, and save his family from disgrace and ruin. - -He hesitated. Would his evidence injure Russell Sahib? Tynan assured him -it would not, he simply wanted a share of the credit for himself; and -the Rajput consented. Tynan warned him what questions would be asked, -and coached him to give suitable replies. He cunningly advised him not -to appear too eager, and not to pretend to know too much, the chief -points being that Pir Baksh was to be absolved, and that he, Tynan, was -to have a share of the credit attached to the destruction of the -magazine. The sharp-witted Hindu quickly understood his part, and -improved upon his teacher's suggestions. - -"It will do Russell Sahib no harm," he reflected. - -Tynan then warned him that when they should meet in the room they were -both to express the utmost amazement, and Dwarika Rai nodded in -acquiescence. - -He thoroughly earned his pay, as Tynan discovered when he rejoined his -comrades. - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -An Adventure on the Ridge - - -The attacks on the Ridge outposts had become less frequent and less -dangerous, though the cannonade was as brisk as ever. - -Early on the morning following the receipt of the amazing news from -Aurungpore, Ted Russell of the Hindu Rao picket was roughly aroused from -slumber. All was hurry and scurry as company after company of the Guides -and Rifles ran to the assistance of the Gurkhas, who were bearing the -brunt of a cleverly-designed attack by ten times their number. Jim, -Alec, and Ted raced to the scene of action, arriving just in time to -pursue the already defeated foe. - -"Charlie means to have that rag," Ted panted to his chum, as they raced -side by side. - -Shouting, "Follow me, lads!" Dorricot had made a dash for the colours of -a rebel regiment, and was rapidly overhauling the flying -standard-bearer, a score of mixed-up Rifles, Guides, and Gurkhas -following as best they could. The fight and pursuit were being carried -on over a great extent of ground, and only the few in Dorricot's -immediate neighbourhood knew what was taking place. Seeing that the -pursuers were so few in number, a large body of the enemy interposed -between the officer and his followers, barring their progress. Charles -Dorricot broke through, cut down the colour-bearer, grasped the -standard, beat back his assailants, and for a few moments cleared a -space around him. But what could one man do against so many? Before help -could come Dorricot was beaten to his knees, sorely wounded, though -still attempting to defend himself. - -He collapsed, a sword-thrust through his breast, just as Corporal -Thompson, a huge rifleman, forced his way through the mob by sheer -strength and weight and judicious use of the butt-end. In the wake of -the corporal came Motiram Rana, a Gurkha, and Hassan Din of the Guides, -but, as they got through, the rebels closed up again behind them, -baffling the efforts of Ted and his men to follow. Whether their officer -was dead or wounded the three knew not; they meant to guard his body -with their own. At bay they stood back to back--representatives of the -three regiments that had held the Ridge--and, facing them, the rebels -snarled like a pack of wolves around a wounded lion. Those behind -pressed on those in front, and sepoy after sepoy fell before the weapons -of the dauntless three, the Englishman trusting to the butt, the Pathan -to the bayonet, and Motiram Rana, of course, to his patron saint, the -kukri. The rifle in the Gurkha's left hand was still loaded. Using the -weapon as a pistol, the little man pulled the trigger, and the bullet -passed through two pandies at least. Having now more room, the gigantic -Thompson swung his rifle round and round and up and down like a flail, -and cleared a breathing space. The stock broke into splinters, but -before the mutineers could get in he snatched a musket, cracked the -owner's head, and the pandies again recoiled. - -"He's down!" Ted gasped. "At 'em, Guides!" - -He and Alec with their Guides around them were pushing and thrusting and -smiting their way through the opposing crowd, the pandies on this -portion of the sloping ground having rallied round their standard. -Suddenly the mob bulged in close by where they fought, as a pricked -tennis-ball when squeezed; and amid a babel of shrill yells and -jabberings in an unknown tongue, a lane was opened up. A Gurkha -corporal had passed the word that Dorricot was down, and, collecting a -couple of dozen furious men, had charged at their head. The vicious -kukris flashed and flickered and bit deep, and the sepoys fell to right -and left of that living wedge of Himalayans. Behind them Ted and Alec, -Guides and Riflemen, found their way, and the sepoys broke and fled. - -Ted was quickly beside his fallen cousin, and gave a little cry of joy -on finding that Charlie still breathed. The cry was echoed by the -Gurkhas, who started in pursuit now they were assured of their officer's -safety, but Ted restrained them. Dorricot's hand still grasped the -colours for whose capture he had risked so much, for which he might yet -have to pay with his life. - -Ted signed to the Gurkhas to help him carry back their wounded officer. -Motiram Rana proffered his aid, but Thompson motioned him back, saying: - -"Tha needs carryin' thysen, Johnny; tha'rt bleedin' like a stuck pig." - -Up came Major Reid, bringing his men forward at the double from another -part of the battle-field where the enemy's rout had been complete. His -face fell as he caught sight of his sorely-stricken comrade. - -"The rash fellow!" exclaimed the commandant. "He had no right to push -the pursuit so far with such a handful. I cannot spare Dorricot. Carry -him gently; and you, Paterson, run and bring a doctor to the house." - -Right glad was Ted, and hardly less glad were the Gurkhas, when the -doctor promised hope in spite of no fewer than four sword or bayonet -wounds. - -"I have not an unwounded officer left, youngster!" exclaimed Major Reid -dolefully. "Would you care to serve with me again?" - -"There's nothing I should like better, sir." And then the boy paused. -"Except that I should be sorry to leave the Guides." - -"Well, go to Daly; he's better off for officers than I am, and ask if -he'll transfer you for a few days." - -Ted obeyed. Permission was granted, and he again found himself with the -Sirmuris. - -There were scenes in camp of a less tragic nature witnessed daily by our -two ensigns from Aurungpore. The peculiar methods of fraternizing -adopted by the British riflemen and the Asiatics of the Guide Corps and -Sirmur Battalion provided plenty of amusement for the onlookers. The -Gurkhas soon picked up a smattering of English, and a few began to speak -the language fairly well, whilst on the other hand the English riflemen -gave vent to their feelings in words which they imagined were -Hindustani. "Good-morning!" the little men would say with a cheerful -grin; and the riflemen, not to be outdone, would reply: "Ram Ram, Johnny -Gurkha! Ram Ram!" - -Mixed groups would gather after any severe fighting to discuss the -conflict and the conduct of the various regiments engaged, amid roars of -laughter at the interpreter's attempts to translate the remarks. They -were, indeed, the best of comrades; for brave men, of whatever race or -creed, cannot but admire one another. - -One evening in early August, Ted and Alec, after a long visit to poor -Dorricot, joined their good friend Jemadar Goria Thapa, who was sitting -on the shady side of the house-fortress watching the men larking. He -gave the new-comers a welcoming grin. - -"Good little man is Goria," whispered Ted. "We may as well sit by him. -Those chaps are enjoying themselves, ain't they? Ram Ram, Jemadar -Sahib!" - -Goria Thapa returned the greeting, and enquired after the health of his -wounded officer and friend. - -"He's doing splendidly, thanks! He must be as strong as a horse and as -fit as a--what's the native for fiddle, Alec?" - -"Dunno; call it a tom-tom. Are you having a good time, Jemadar Sahib, or -do you wish you were back in Nepal?" - -Goria Thapa grinned broadly. - -"I like it," said he simply. - -"Hullo, Paterson!" broke in Claude Boldre, who had just strolled up. -"How's your cousin, Russell? I came to ask after him." - -"Doing finely considering, thanks! Look at these chaps. They're as fond -of horse-play as a lot of kids." - -It was certainly an amusing scene, and though the merest clowning, even -this kind of fooling serves to keep men in good spirits and temper. - -The corporal, Thompson, who had carried the wounded Dorricot out of the -fight, stood 6 feet 4-1/2 inches in his stockings, and was perhaps the -biggest man in the Delhi force. The men were sitting about in groups -playing practical jokes, and Thompson caught hold of Karbir Burathoki, -the smallest Gurkha there, a lad under five feet high, and led him to an -open space within sight of the others. He there offered to teach the -Gurkha how to box, and Karbir quickly entered into the joke. Both pulled -off their jackets, and the Gurkha's face was entirely hidden by his -grin. The difference in build between the two men was too much for the -spectators, who shouted and yelled--"Go it, little 'un!" "Jump up and -'it 'im in the face!" "Fetch a step-ladder!" "Now, corpril, go on your -knees and give 'im a chanst!" - -After a lot of preliminary feinting and puffing and blowing and striking -high above the Gurkha's head, the giant began to retire backwards, -Karbir following amidst roars of laughter, the Nepalese spectators -being quite as delighted as their English comrades. - -At length Thompson caught hold of the little man and held him in the -air, kicking and shrieking in pretended wrath. As the corporal put the -little Himalayan down, he laughingly remarked: "Na, Johnny, tha con haud -me up like if tha wants thee revenge." - -The Gurkha examined him from head to foot. - -"Hould the spalpeen up, Johnny, ye scutt!" advised an Irish corporal. To -the astonishment of all, the little man calmly proceeded to place the -giant on his back like a sack of potatoes. Thompson offered no -objection, and Karbir was soon staggering from one group of laughing -spectators to another. Suddenly upsetting the rifleman full length on -the ground, he sat on his chest and proceeded to light his pipe, -whereupon the onlookers shrieked. Thompson arose, tossing the Gurkha -from his perch, and the two strolled back arm in arm, attempting to keep -step, and quarrelling every few yards as to whose pace was at fault. - -Reid had come behind the ensign, and was looking on with twinkling eyes. -Noting that Ted appeared astonished at Karbir's strength, he observed: -"They're terribly strong are Gurkhas in the back, loins, and legs." - -When they had settled down again one of the Nepalese observed: - -"This war will soon be over. Jung Bahadur is going to march down to -Lucknow with his army." - -"An' 'oo the dickens is young Bardoor?" asked a rifleman. - -"He is our prime minister and commander-in-chief in Nepal. He offered to -bring an army down to help you English two months ago, and now the -government has accepted his offer." - -"An' so 'e's goin' to wipe out the rebels, eh, all hon 'is own 'ook?" - -The Gurkha did not understand all this. - -"What chance will those dogs have," said he, "against ten thousand -Gurkhas? Truly, he will slay them all!" - -"Bedad, then," interrupted an Irishman, "tell him, will ye, wid me -compliments--Privut O'Brien's compliments--to lave a few fer us. Sure, -we're wishful to git hould av some av thim Cawnpore and Lucknow haythen. -Tell him to bear that in moind." - -Then the Gurkhas began to speak of their own beloved country of Nepal, -by the mighty snow-clad Himalayas, of its wonderful beauty, and of its -unequalled sport and wealth of animal life; and the Englishmen tried to -explain the extent of their empire and the wonders of London, and told -of their mighty ships of war and great sea-borne commerce. They also -related the histories of their regimental colours, of the recent Crimean -War, and of the fights between Wellington and the French. The Nepalese -were very much interested in all the tales of war, for they also had -tattered regimental colours of which they were very proud, and which had -cost them many lives.[16] - - [16] Before the end of the siege Riflemen and Gurkhas spoke of one - another as "brothers", and at the close of the war the Sirmur - Battalion begged that it might be granted a uniform similar to - that of their brethren of the 60th, the request being willingly - granted. The 2nd Gurkhas are very proud of the little red line - on their facings, and the uniform thus gained at Delhi they - wore in London at King Edward's Coronation forty-five years - later. - -By this time the Gurkha hospital was very full. More than half of those -five hundred men had been stricken down, and the Guides had also -suffered severely. And the great city still defied the British power. - -A few more reinforcements were coming in, but no heavy guns had yet -arrived. One or two new Sikh and Mohammedan cavalry corps and Punjab -infantry regiments, recruited from the Sikhs, Punjabi Mohammedans, Jats, -Pathans, and Dogras, as well as the Kumaon Gurkha Battalion (now the -3rd Gurkhas), were fighting on our side. The big Sikh horsemen, who were -proud of their new uniform and despised the rebel cavalry, quickly -snatched at opportunities to cover themselves with glory. The -"Flamingoes", as Hodson's Horse were called, had not been in camp many -days before they were in action, distinguishing themselves in a way that -none but the very best of troops dare attempt. Faced by a greatly -superior force, Hodson, with supreme confidence in the steadiness and -valour of his men, feigned a retreat, and when he had drawn the enemy -into the open by this manoeuvre, the Flamingoes turned round at his -command and charged into the black mass. The foemen hesitated, confused -and bewildered; they glanced at the steady line of stalwart, bearded -cavaliers, heard the thunder of the galloping horses almost upon them, -and were routed, broken and scattered before the oncoming of those -determined Sikhs and Pathans. - -Though daily witnessing such instances of dash and courage, Ted Russell -marvelled less thereat than at the quiet indifference to peril displayed -by the native servants. These men were not of the fighting castes: a -dozen of them would have fled cringing from the anger of a single -Englishman, Pathan, Sikh, or Gurkha. Yet, in such different ways is -courage shown, they performed without flinching duties which most -Britons would have shrunk from. They would sit at their work or at their -meals in the most exposed places, with bullets flicking up the dust all -round, no more concerned than a bullock would have been. - -To bring meals and provisions to Hindu Rao's house they were forced to -cross the dangerous "Valley of the Shadow of Death". Any soldier who -might have to pass this spot would await the opportunity to dart across; -but these mild non-combatants would calmly walk over, and should any of -their number be struck down, would stop to shed a few tears over the -corpse and then resume the even tenour of their way. - -The army before Delhi was absolutely dependent on these servitors. In -that terrible heat the English could not have existed without them; and -yet, it must be sorrowfully confessed, they were occasionally -ill-treated by some of the more churlish and lawless of those to whose -wants they ministered. The boy who bullies at school remains often -enough a bully when he has grown up. Bullies are generally stupid -fellows, and in the eyes of such men one "nigger" was much the same as -another, and the faithful brown servants had to suffer for the sins of -the Cawnpore murderers. There was one man in particular, a major of the -15th Derajat Infantry, whose bullying propensities had more than once -aroused indignation in the breasts of Ted's friends. Fortunately there -were not many Englishmen of his stamp. - -One day Ted was told off for picket duty with half a dozen men some -distance from the "Sammy" House. When close to his lonely post his -attention was attracted by the strange demeanour of a group of -wild-looking frontiersmen, assembled in a sheltered hollow. He drew -nearer, and perceived to his disgust that a miserable native servant had -been tied up and was being flogged with bamboo rods, while a white -officer looked on approvingly. Ted recognized the man, and his blood -boiled. Taking no account of the difference in rank, he hastened to the -spot, and hotly demanded what the poor fellow had been doing to deserve -such treatment. The major of the Derajats--for he it was--opened his -eyes in amazement, and his face became convulsed with anger. Controlling -his rage he contemptuously asked: - -"And who are you, little boy?" - -Thereat one or two of the Punjabis laughed. - -"I'm in command of this picket, sir, and I can't allow this where I'm -responsible. Look! the poor beggar is fainting!" - -The officer looked round--first at the miserable Hindu, whose back was a -mass of bleeding weals, and then continued to gaze about him as though -in search of someone. - -"Where is she?" he asked at length. "I can't see her." - -"Whom do you mean, sir?" asked Ted in bewilderment. - -"Why, your nurse, of course; she'll be looking for you everywhere." - -Our ensign's face flushed, and his temper rose at the insult. He turned -to the Gurkha _naik_[17]. - - [17] Corporal. - -"Karbir, cut that man loose!" - -The little man promptly drew his kukri and cut the thongs. One of the -Panjabis stepped forward and laid his hand on the naik to prevent him. -Karbir turned on him like a tiger, with kukri uplifted, and the Punjabi -jumped back. The major could no longer restrain his anger. He stepped up -to Ted and struck him across the mouth with clenched fist, loosening a -couple of teeth and felling the lad to the ground. Quick as thought -Karbir dashed at the Englishman, but Ted, from the ground, shrieked out -just in time: - -"Back, Karbir, you must not touch him!" and the little man reluctantly -obeyed. Ted rose, now as white as he had before been red. The major -laughed. - -"Consider yourself fortunate, young man, if I take no further notice of -your insolence. Do you know that you have been guilty of mutiny--rank -mutiny--and that I could have you dismissed from the service? Now, you -may go, and explain the loss of your teeth as you best please. No--stay! -I've not done with you yet. I'll teach you the difference in our rank. -Order that corporal of yours to tie up that beast again, and then -command each of your men to give him half a dozen strokes." - -Ensign Edward Russell cared a deal for his commission, and had no wish -to be broken for disobedience, but this order he would not obey. His -eyes gleamed as he scornfully cried: - -"You great detestable brute! Break me if you can! I'd rather lose my -commission as an officer than forget my duty as a gentleman!" - -"Did you hear my command?" the major repeated. - -Ted was silent. He glanced around, and beheld a tall, bearded man, whom -he had never seen before--a man with stern and forbidding look, in -untidy civilian attire. The major's glance followed, and an expression -of annoyance came into his face as he noticed the stranger. - -"Well, my good fellow, what do you want here?" he exclaimed. - -"I? Oh, I'm just looking round." - -"Oh! Then you'd better get back to whatever your business may be." - -The man was silent for a moment. - -"Won't that lad obey you?" he asked presently. - -"No, that I shall not," Ted asserted firmly, though feeling very -miserable. - -"What right have you, lad," continued the stranger sternly, "to question -your superior officer's commands? Your business is to obey." - -"And obey he will," the major declared with an oath, "or I'll know the -reason why!" - -"That's right, sir," agreed the tall man. "Always insist on obedience -from your juniors." - -Ted was becoming nervous and feeling very lonely. Though assured he was -in the right, the boy could not but feel unhappy. - -The batteries of the Mori Bastion once more commenced their horrible -work. Round-shot and grape whistled overhead. - -"What does it matter to you, young man, whether you obey the command or -not?" asked the tall man harshly. "That _bhisti_ will be flogged just -the same; he won't benefit by your refusal." - -"No, that he most certainly won't!" asserted the major with a repulsive -laugh. "Nor will he thank you for your interference." - -"I'm an officer, not a hangman," said Ted stoutly. - -"Well, you will not be an officer long," declared the major. - -The stranger had approached, and now stood by their side. - -"If you won't obey him," he said in tones of authority, "you must obey -me! I order you to place that man under arrest," pointing to the major. -"Do you hear me, boy?" as Ted hesitated in his bewilderment. - -The major swore furiously. "Who on earth may you be? What do you mean by -this impertinence, you drunken civilian?" - -The tall man took not the slightest notice. He looked at the boy with -stern set face, and there was something in his look that enforced -obedience. Still doubtful, but unable to resist the tone of authority, -Ensign Russell stepped towards the bully, saying: - -"You must consider yourself under arrest, sir." - -Naik Karbir understood some English, and was attentively following the -course of events. He whispered to his men, and a couple at once placed -themselves, with bayonets fixed, on either side of the Englishman. The -prisoner foamed at the mouth. - -"What do you mean by this outrage, you young whipper-snapper? Take your -men away! You'll repent this, you impertinent hound!" - -Our hero looked towards the stranger, who fixed his eyes on the boy, but -took no further notice. Then the major appealed to his men. - -"My lads, drive these Gurkhas away, and take that English cub prisoner. -Kill those little fiends if they resist!" - -Nothing loth, ten men of the 15th Derajats sprang forward, and the -Gurkhas closed round their officer. The stranger raised his hand -imperiously. - -"Stop, my children! Come back!" cried a shrill voice, that quavered with -fear; and the Punjabis pulled up short and regarded the speaker with -amazement as profound as that of Ted. His new ally was the native -officer of the party, a grizzled Waziri from the Bannu district. - -"It is an order, my children; we must obey," the old man continued to -the wondering sepoys. - -Their own subadar and chieftain on the side of the Gurkhas and of that -infidel dog of a _bhisti_! What could it mean? But most astounded of all -were the major and the ensign. - -"What! Ahmed Khan!" exclaimed the bully. "Wilt thou suffer me to be -insulted in this way?" - -"What can I do, sahib? It is an order," the Waziri answered in troubled -tones. - -Then the stranger spoke again. - -"Ensign, you are on duty here, and here you had better remain. I relieve -you of the prisoner." Turning to the Waziri subadar he continued: "Ahmed -Khan is thy name?" - -The subadar fell on his knees. "It is thy servant's name, O Hakim[18]!" - - [18] Lord. - -"Ahmed Khan, I see that thou dost know me, and therefore thou wilt obey. -I charge thee to escort this officer--thine officer no longer, whose -commands thou must not obey--to the tent of General Wilson, and there -say who sent thee. Also, see that this _bhisti_ is carried gently to the -hospital, and treat him well. It is my command." - -The Waziri salaamed. - -A shell whistled overhead and burst some way in front. A second quickly -followed, and splinters flew around. - -"This is becoming warm, youngster," remarked the tall man, smiling. -"Ahmed Khan, begone quickly!" - -The subadar whispered to his men, who thereupon glanced hurriedly, with -awe-stricken eyes, at the bearded Englishman, placed two on each side of -the prisoner, with bayonets fixed, and gave the word to march. The -escort moved rapidly away, the major too dazed and cowed to attempt -resistance. - -The stranger advanced and placed a hand on Ted's shoulder. His face was -no longer stern and forbidding; it was the face of a great and good man. - -"My lad," he said kindly, "let this be the last time you disobey your -senior officer. On this occasion you were right No gentleman, no -Christian, could have obeyed his brutal order. But such a case rarely -happens, and you must beware lest you take too much upon yourself." - -Ted bowed his head. He knew already that he was in the presence of the -greatest and noblest man he had ever seen. - -The stranger continued: - -"I see you are with the Sirmur Battalion. I have heard of their glorious -deeds." - -Ted, full of the subject, and more at his ease now, poured forth for -five minutes an account of the valour displayed by Rifles, Guides, and -Gurkhas, then stopped, ashamed at having spoken so much. But, moved -thereto by the kind expression of interest in the man's face, he added: - -"When are we to make the assault, sir?" - -The stranger's countenance lighted up. - -"It will not be very long now, lad; the time is at hand. Well, I have -much to do; good-bye, ensign!" - -The man held out his hand, adding, "Remain a true, God-fearing -gentleman, of whom your country may be proud, as it is not of that man -who has just left us." - -"Good-bye, sir!---- But would you tell me your name?" - -"I am Brigadier Nicholson," was the simple reply. - -Ted's heart glowed with pride and pleasure. He had shaken hands with -this famous man; he had actually enjoyed ten minutes' private talk with -him--a thing half the officers in the camp would have given much for. -The name of the young general was on everyone's lips. Over the heads of -his seniors in rank John Nicholson had been given the command of the -Punjab Movable Column, and wherever that column had marched victory had -crowned its arms, no matter what the odds. Along the frontier of the -Indus, amidst the wild robber clans of Bannu, he was worshipped as a -deity; and Ted now understood what had been incomprehensible before, -namely, the strange behaviour of the subadar, and the sudden awe that -had fallen upon the Pathans as soon as Ahmed Khan had whispered the -magic words "Jan Nikkulseyn". - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -"Wombwell's Menagerie" - - -On his return in the early morning of the following day, Ted related his -adventures to brother and cousin, and told of his interview with the -hero of the Punjab. - -"Yes," replied Jim, "Nicholson has been here inspecting our defences and -examining our men. He's left his column behind and galloped on to confer -with our general. Lucky for you, young 'un, that he happened to be -present. But, then, you are such a lucky beggar!" - -"I wonder what they'll do to your friend the major?" observed Charlie, -whose splendid constitution was doing wonders for him. - -"Ask him to resign, I expect," Jim opined. - -But that officer of the 15th Derajats had already resigned. Before he -and his escort had left the Ridge a shell from one of the Mori -24-pounders exploded in their midst, killing the major and one sepoy and -wounding four others. Ted, however, did not learn this until the -following day, and at the same time he heard that Nicholson had left the -camp and ridden out to bring in his column, which was now close at hand. - -"Before I forget, here's something for you, Ted," Jim exclaimed, after -the three had discussed the ensign's adventures at some length. "The -mail came while you were away, and I had a letter from Ethel enclosing -this for you." - -Jim handed his brother a note, which Ted promptly opened and read. - -"It's very jolly of her! The colonel has nearly completely recovered, -she says, and they are quite safe. Will you swop letters, Jim?" - -"Wouldn't you like to? Cheeky young cub!" - -Charlie laughed. - -"I've already offered him half my daily pay for a sight of the precious -document, and he's waiting for me to raise the bid. He's been looking so -radiantly absurd, young 'un, since he received it, that I've been -longing to throw my boots at him, but unfortunately I can't get at -them." - -Jim winked solemnly at his cousin, and appeared far too happy to be -abashed by the satire of his facetious relatives. - -Before long news reached the Ridge that the Punjab Movable Column was -coming in. The whole camp turned out to meet Jan Nikkulseyn's -ever-victorious men. Brigadier Nicholson was, of course, under General -Sir Archdale Wilson, yet the whole army looked upon him as the man -destined to lead them to victory. All felt that a great soldier was in -their midst--nor were they disappointed. Hardly had he arrived before he -led them out to attack the foe at Nujufgurh, where a splendid success -was won, and the enthusiasm of the wearied troops was aroused. - -On the 4th September the last reinforcements came in. The remainder of -the 60th Rifles arrived from Meerut to join their brethren, the comrades -of the little Gurkhas at the house of Hindu Rao, as well as a contingent -from the Dogra ruler of Jummu and Kashmir. But the whole camp turned out -to cheer a still more welcome reinforcement which accompanied these. - -Escorted by the Rifles came the guns--the big guns, the siege guns, the -real guns at last! With slow and stately tread, as though conscious of -their importance and of the impression they were making, the massive -elephants--two harnessed to each gun--appeared in sight, hauling the -ponderous cannon to the place that needed them so much. With what -delight the long-looked-for guns were greeted may well be imagined. The -fortunate soldiers of 1857 had never heard the classic phrases "Now we -sha'n't be long!" and "Let 'em all come!", but if they had, they would -certainly have used them. - -In the thick of the crowd was Ted, who had got leave of absence from the -Ridge, and as Alec could not accompany him, he looked out for any other -chums who might be there, and soon caught sight of the khaki and blazing -scarlet of Claude Boldre, gay with the colours of the "Flamingoes". They -greeted Lieutenant Roberts, who was busy with his multifarious duties as -D. A. Q. M. G., but cheerful and brisk as ever, and stood behind a group -of hilarious Tommies. - -"Here come the guns at last!" cried a carabineer in an ecstacy of -enthusiasm. - -"Git away wid ye, it's Wombwell's menagerie comin' to give us an -entertainment!" declared an Irish private. - -"Nice little ponies them are, drorin' them!" was another comment. - -"What--the uttees? Three cheers for the bloomin' uttees!"[19] - - [19] "Uttee" is Mr. Thomas Atkins' rendering of "hathi", the - Hindustani for elephant, as readers of _The Jungle Book_ - will know. - -"What'll we do wiv the huttees when we've got the guns fixed hup? -They'll heat their 'eads hoff 'ere. There won't be none of hus left for -fightin'; we shall hall 'ave to go hout foragin' for food for the -helephints hall day," observed a soldier of Cockney extraction. - -"Ay," a friend replied, "and they'll want exercising. Bill, you'll 'ave -to go and take 'arf a dozen helephints for a run every mornin' before -breakfast, same as you used to do them fox-terriers you used to have." - -Bill was wont to boast of the ratting qualities of his dogs at home. - -"Ay, Bill," chaffed another. "Go an' take 'em rattin' along the banks of -the Jumner; they're beggars for rats are uttees." - -Bill was equal to the occasion, however, and readily replied: - -"Nothin' of the sort! General told me has the helephints was comin' -to-day, an' 'e says to me, 'Bill,' sez 'e, 'wot are we to do with them -uttees when they come?' 'General,' sez hi, 'why not mount the Gurkeys on -'em an' make 'em into light horsemen?--there's nobody else's legs 'ud go -round a huttee.' 'Bill,' sez 'e, 'you're a genius!'" - -The laugh that followed showed that Bill had scored, and a group of -officers standing by, who had up to this point tried to preserve a -sedate demeanour, joined in the merriment at the thought of a little -Gurkha perched astride one of the monsters. Regardless of the jests at -their expense, the huge pachyderms came steadily on through the -clustered ranks of interested and gaping spectators. - -"By gum, boys, them are guns! We'll soon be in Delhi now!" - -"Three cheers for the Bengal Artillery! and three more for John Lawrence -who sent them!" - -The cheers were lustily given, for hopes ran high. - -"They ought to make short work of the walls," said Claude. "I think -we're going to have a look in at last." - -"Yes; we're all getting a bit sick of waiting. Hope we can get a good -place in the stalls when the theatre doors open," Ted replied. - -"And I hope Nicholson leads us. By the way, I suppose you've heard -nothing fresh from Aurungpore?" - -"Nothing." - -"That's rough on you. It must be horribly upsetting to have the matter -hanging over so long." - -"It is. I'm glad we're kept so busy, though, as I haven't much time to -think of it." - -"Never say die! Truth will out, you know, and you'll be all right. Alec -Paterson told me the whole story. That chap Tynan must be a pretty -average cad. More guns coming!" - -"'Ullo!" exclaimed our friend Bill as the end of the procession came -into sight, "where's the rest of the show? There's nothing but huttees!" - -"No more there isn't. This is a bloomin' fine circus, this is!" - -"Here, you!" shouted a dragoon to a dignified mahout, "where's yer -giraffes, an' 'ippopotamusses, an' ricoconoseroses, an' kangeroos? Why, -there ain't no clowns nor hacrobats!--this is a fraud! Gimme me money -back, I can see a better menagerie than this in Hengland!" - -"Ay, give us our money back!" chimed in the others in tones of simulated -indignation; and roars of laughter went up, to the astonishment of the -staid Sikhs and Punjabis, and to the delight of the jolly little -Gurkhas. - -But though the whole camp was in such high spirits, the more knowing -ones understood that Delhi had not fallen yet, and that these cannon -were no bigger, and were greatly inferior in number to those mounted on -the city walls. Also that the mutineers' guns, being sheltered by the -solid masonry, were twice as effective as their own unprotected -armament. - -During the next few days the whole camp helped the Engineers to put into -execution the plan of attack which Colonel Baird Smith's masterly brain -had planned. At dead of night the soldiers constructed batteries and -shelter-trenches between the English camp and the walls, in positions -where it would have meant death to have worked by daylight. Before long -thousands of gabions[20] and acres of fascines[21] had been made for the -protection of gunners. - - [20] Gabions are hollow cylinders of basket-work filled with earth. - - [21] Fascines are large bundles of brushwood faggots. - -On the eventful morning of 8th September, 1857, Major Brind of the -Artillery--a man concerning whom an officer present observed: "Talk -about the V.C., why, Brind should be covered with them from head to -foot!"--is given the honour of commencing the bombardment from No. 1 -Battery, only seven hundred and fifty yards from the walls. In spite of -all Brind's labours of the night, the sun rises before his battery is -ready for action, and the mutineers at once perceive his designs. -Pitiless showers of well-directed grape plunge in and around the -battery. Though but half-sheltered from this terrible fire, Brind's -gunners, assisted by a detachment of the Gurkhas of the Kumaon -Battalion, go on with the rapid completion of the work. At length a -single howitzer is dragged into position, and the first shot of the real -bombardment is fired. It is but a feeble retort to the thundering giants -of the Mori and Kashmir bastions, and the foemen laugh as they continue -to pound the gallant little band with round-shot, grape, and shell. Ted -from his post on the Ridge looks on with disappointed eyes. - -But before long a second gun is on its platform, and then a third, and -the rebels laugh no longer. And soon the battery is complete; five -18-pounders and four 24-pounders, magnificently aimed and served, are -replying in earnest, as though the very cannon knew how long the army -had been waiting for them, and had resolved to do their duty and show -that the waiting had not been in vain. With high hopes and expectations -thousands of British, Gurkha, Pathan, Sikh, and Dogra soldiers look on -at the awful duel. Idle spectators are they, unable to assist, and safe -from the venomous fire of the rebel cannon which are now all directed to -the destruction of this impertinent No. 1 Battery. The insurgents stand -manfully to their guns, but the finest artillerymen in the world are -serving under Brind, and at length, to the delight and amid the -resounding cheers and hurrahs of the spectators, the massive masonry of -the Mori Bastion, that looked but yesterday strong enough to defy an -earthquake, begins to crumble away. The answering fire slackens and -dwindles down. - -By this time No. 2 Battery (Campbell's) is ready, but is directed to -wait until No. 3 can also be prepared, in order that the enemy's -surprise may be the greater. With No. 2 is a party of the Jummu -contingent, who are at first unwilling to ply spades and shovels or pile -sand-bags, murmuring that they are come to fight, not to do coolie work. -As the mutineers blaze away, these Dogra Rajputs, throwing down shovels, -seize their muskets and fire harmlessly at the stone walls, to the great -danger of the artillerymen. They are at once told by Major Campbell that -they are there to work and not to play at fighting, and they manfully -settle down to the uncongenial task. - -The attention of the foe having been purposely attracted by No. 1 -Battery, No. 3 (Scott's)--partially prepared during the night, and -concealed by grass and branches of trees--has been secretly at work, and -is ready on the morning of the 12th. Dangerously near to the rebel -cannon is No. 3; less than two hundred yards separate the British -gunners from their antagonists. Almost at the same moment No. 4 Battery -(Major Tombs') prepares for action. To achieve the secret completion of -these batteries has been the brilliant work of Colonel Baird Smith and -of his worthy second in command, Engineer-Captain Alexander Taylor. - -For three days Brind's guns have been reducing the gigantic and -formidable Mori Bastion to powder, whilst the other three batteries have -been preparing to lend him a hand. - -"Not much left of our old friend!" observes Major Reid cheerfully to a -small group of his officers, who stand gazing upon the work of -destruction on the evening of September the 11th. - -As Reid speaks, another shell strikes their ancient antagonist, the Mori -Bastion, towards which he is pointing. - -"They're defending it well, though, sir," replies Captain Russell, as -gun after gun is brought forward by the rebels, who are making -praiseworthy efforts to silence Brind. "We've got so used to the old -bastion that one feels almost sorry to see him going to the dogs in this -way." - -"He's losing flesh rapidly," Ted joins in, as yet another of Brind's -kind regards is sent crashing against the once rock-like wall and a -fresh shower of dust is thrown up. - -"I can't say that I feel much pity for him," Reid grimly declared. "He -has too many of my brave lads' lives to answer for," the commandant -added with a tinge of sadness in his voice. - -"Well, the rest will be merely child's play, I fancy," conjectured a -young lieutenant standing by. - -Major Reid solemnly regarded the author of this remark for a few seconds -before replying. - -"You think so, young man?" he asked. "Better keep the playing until it -is over. The hard work is yet to come." - -Whilst the bombardment proceeds, the Ridge is tolerably safe, for the -Delhi guns are too much occupied with Brind's pestilent battery to pay -much heed to any other place. The duel continues, waxing hotter and -still more hot. - -"Splendid practice our fellows are making!" says Jim presently. - -"They're a long time with those other batteries," our ensign hazards. -"I wish to goodness they'd hurry them up, and then for storming the -place!" - -"Don't be impatient, youngster," Reid replies. "If we play our part as -well as the Artillery and Engineers are doing theirs, our country will -have precious little cause for complaint. They are doing their work -magnificently; they've already accomplished wonders, and it's a lot more -easy to talk about it and to criticise them, than to get guns into -position in the face of those bastions." - -Feeling somewhat abashed by his chief's rebuke, as he doubtless deserved -to be, Ted discreetly remains silent. - -Darkness closing in brings the artillery duel to an end, and the troops -lie down for the night. - -Not all, however. - -Under cover of the night the sappers and miners and gunners are hard at -work completing the preparations for batteries Nos. 3 and 4. Our fellows -work like true Britons, for their hearts are in their labour. Encouraged -by Captain Taylor, who superintends the work, and by their other -officers, all of whom lend a hand like the meanest private, they toil on -with steadfast, energetic purpose, and daylight finds them prepared. - -Word has mysteriously reached the Ridge that to-morrow's sun will see a -bombardment the like of which has never before been known in the East, -and our friends are stirring soon after sunrise, waiting in exultant -anticipation. - -"Is it true, sir," asks Ted, "that all four batteries will be playing on -the town this morning?" - -"I'm hoping so, but I can't say how far they got last night." - -At length the longed-for moment arrives. At eight o'clock on the morning -of the 12th nine 24-pounders of No. 2 Battery open fire simultaneously -on the Kashmir Bastion. Ringing cheers of triumph greet this, the -greatest salvo of the whole war, for, as the smoke clears away and the -deafening thunder and reverberating echoes die down, our friends and -their fellow-spectators see that this very first discharge is bringing -down huge masses of masonry. - -A moment of profound silence follows: then a mighty cry of exultation -bursts forth. - -"Ah! Well done! Well aimed, Campbell!" scream the enthusiastic -onlookers. - -But the insurgent guns hotly and strenuously reply, and Campbell's -battery seem likely to suffer severely, for the rebel fire is not only -hot, but is also exceedingly well directed. - -"They're keeping their tails up pluckily enough. Villains though they -are, they're not cowards," murmurs one. - -"That's true! Seems to me that No. 2's in a tight place enough. I only -hope--" - -What that officer hoped will never be known. - -A deafening roar from another direction interrupts his expression of -opinion and announces that Major Tombs' Battery (No. 4) is dealing with -the rebel guns. - -"Hurrah! Tombs is givin' it 'em 'ot! Tombs 'e's a-silencin' of 'em!" -shout the riflemen. - -"Ulu-ulu-ulu!" scream the delighted Gurkhas. - -"Ah!" gasp the astounded Sikhs and Pathans, who have never before seen -cannonade like this. - -Whilst the British riflemen estimate and argue the distance of the -battery from the walls and the probable duration of the bombardment, the -Guides and Gurkhas chatter and scream with excitement. Many of these -allies of ours have been somewhat prone to consider themselves quite as -good soldiers as their employers, but now they are beginning to -understand a little more clearly the extent of the British power and -resources. And such consideration is good for them. - -Again Tombs's gunners fling their iron hail against the Delhi cannon, -putting them out of action one by one. - -"Why, Tombs has got within two hundred yards!" a spectator guesses. - -"No, hardly so close as that," declares a second. - -"Well, he ain't much farther away," another joins in. And exclamations -of "Well done, Tombs!" "Well aimed, sir!" ring out from the Ridge -unheeded, because unheard by the gunners steadily plying their grim -trade. For Major Tombs is a general favourite; stories of his prowess -and dare-devilry have spread throughout the British camp, and the -approving cheers are echoed from scores of throats. - -"Might this be a cricket match?" suavely enquires a captain of the 60th -Rifles as he smiles at the enthusiasm. - -The mutineers are aghast! How have those batteries been brought there -and concealed and protected? And then, only one hundred and sixty yards -from the Water Bastion, No. 3 unmasks. But, alas! the work has -necessarily been done at night, and in the darkness a serious mistake -has been made. The big piles of covered sand-bags, which had been placed -to hide the guns from the watchful enemy, as well as to protect our -gunners from their fire when the moment should come for unmasking, are -found to have been carefully piled in a wrong position, so as to -obstruct the aim of our guns. For men to go outside the shelter in order -to remove the obstruction will not only take a long time, but will -expose to almost certain death any brave enough to venture out. So -thinks the heroic commandant of the battery, who fears nothing for -himself, but hesitates to order his men to be shot down one by one, for -so close are they under the walls that the rebel gunners can hardly miss -them. But while he pauses in doubt, a Sikh sapper calmly springs outside -and commences to throw down the pile before his own gun. With one accord -the other sappers and gunners follow the noble example, and the -clearance is effected with such rapidity that the guns are ready to open -fire before the sepoys have grasped the fact of the battery's presence. - -Then is hurled forth such a shower of shell and heavy shot from that -short distance that the traitors are filled with dismay. The iron -hurricane teaches them at last what English artillery can do even in the -face of such tremendous odds. This salvo of heavy guns heralds the -turning-point of the Sepoy war, and determines the fate of the Indian -empire. As the huge Water Bastion crumbles into a shapeless mass of -masonry and is crushed into atoms by these 18-and 24-pounders, so the -great mutiny is crushed and crumbled at the same time. The last hope of -the mutineers is quenched; they may fight on, they may inflict great -damage on the Feringhi, they may still accomplish further murders and -massacres in various places throughout the land, but all hope of final -triumph, all chance of overthrowing the British raj is gone for ever, -destroyed by the fire of this magnificent artillery. - -In Hindustan news travels from mouth to mouth over hundreds of miles -almost as quickly as by telegraph; so north and south, east and west, -flew the tidings that the walls and gates of Delhi were being battered -down, that in the course of a few days the great city would be in the -hands of the sahibs and the Mogul emperor a captive. Amongst the Pathan -tribes along the Punjab frontier, in Afghanistan, Beluchistan, -Waziristan, Kashmir, the Black Mountain country, and in Nepal, the news -was told, and Afghan, Beluchi, Waziri, Afridi, Mohmand, Bunerwal, Swati, -Yusufzai, Mamund, and Punjabi, who would most eagerly have helped to -rout and destroy the British had our army retired beaten from Delhi, now -scornfully turned a deaf ear to all appeals of the mutineers to come -over and help them. For the Pathan worships success and despises the -fallen. - -"Nay," said they, "if you with forty thousand men and nearly two hundred -cannon, entrenched behind strong walls and with every advantage, if you -could be held in check for weeks by two or three thousand British and -five hundred Gurkha monkey-men, and a few hundred more of our brethren -of the Guides whom ye could not defeat, and then suffered your walls to -be battered down as soon as this small army had been reinforced by more -of our countrymen and neighbours, what chance will ye have now, driven -out of your stronghold? And are not fresh red-coated regiments and corps -of fierce, tall men in women clothes even now arriving from beyond the -seas? Nay, we will not join you; rather will we fight on the side of the -_kafirs_,[22] together with the Gurkha pigs and vile Sikh infidels." - - [22] _Kafir_ (infidel) is a term frequently applied by Mohammedans, - to denote a European. - -So the tribesmen now offered their services in such numbers that they -had to be refused. They brought wild horses that would not suffer any -man to mount them, and they came with ancient, worn-out steeds, blind, -lame, and weak at the knees, swearing and protesting that these were all -splendid chargers, perfectly trained and in superb condition. With these -they would fight the mutineers, if only the great sahibs, Edwardes and -Jan Larens, would give them a soldier's pay. So John Lawrence, -Commissioner of the Punjab, was enabled to send down more than fifty -thousand men to uphold the British raj. - -Day and night throughout the 12th and 13th of September the breaching -operations continued, fifty guns grinding mercilessly at the rock-like -walls. Though defeat stared them in the face the sepoys showed a -courageous front to the end, and as their cannon were one by one knocked -out of action, they brought fresh guns up and returned a rapid and -well-aimed fire. Their sharp-shooters were told off to pick out the -English gunners, and no easy task had those gallant fellows. To our hero -and to the hundreds of onlookers the bombardment formed a grand but -awful spectacle. Fascinated by the sight, they watched the salvoes of -artillery directed at the bastions, every shot striking home, sending up -clouds of dust, and followed often enough by a fall of masonry. The -rebel shots whistled and rattled in the air, guns flashed and shells -exploded both over their own men and over the doomed city. From the -highest to the lowest, from the general in command to the youngest -drummer-boy, all knew that this was the crowning work of anxious months -of toil. Proud men were the engineer officers, Baird Smith and Taylor, -one the brain, the other the hand that had thought out and directed this -supreme finish. Proud also were Brind, Tombs, and the other -artillerymen, for without their magnificent heroism and skill the plans -of the engineers would have come to naught. - -One building there was in Delhi close to the Kashmir Gate and the Water -Bastion, which the Sikhs and Pathans and Gurkhas, and the rebel sepoys -themselves, began to regard with awe--a white-domed edifice not unlike a -mosque, save for the cross surmounting its cupola. It was the English -church; and though shot and shell had crashed around and over it, the -cross remained untouched. - -On the 13th of September Captain Taylor declared that the breaches in -the walls were large enough to admit of a successful assault, so Baird -Smith, ill and harassed, weak and lame as he was, mapped out precise -directions for five columns to attack the city at various points. -Nicholson was appointed to the first column, and when the others should -join him in the city he was to take command of the whole force. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII - -Ted Distinguishes Himself - - -Our friends were with the 4th Column. This force, of which Reid (though -but a major) was made commandant in consideration of the splendid way in -which he had held the Ridge, consisted of detachments of European -regiments, the Sirmur Battalion, the Guides Infantry, and the Rajah of -Jummu's contingent. Its duty was to sweep through the suburbs of -Paharunpur and Kishengang, clearing these of the enemy, and then enter -the city by the Lahore Gate. Major Reid gathered his officers together -to give them final instructions, and then, accompanied by Ensign -Russell, entered the Gurkha hospital, where he told his wounded heroes -the plans for the morrow. The scene was one that cut Ted to the heart. -Of those five hundred men, whose proud arrival he had witnessed three -months ago, only five score remained fit for duty, and many even of this -hundred had been wounded or were now suffering from injuries which the -tough and indomitable little fellows did not consider sufficiently -severe to keep them from their work. On the floor (for there were no -cots) lay one hundred and fifty badly-wounded and maimed Gurkhas--the -remainder had lost their lives guarding their trust. The hearts of the -officers could not but be greatly touched by the sight of such suffering -so nobly borne, but Reid's sadness was mingled with pride that he -commanded so gallant a regiment. The Gurkhas glanced up at their officer -with dog-like looks of affection, and right proud they were too of such -a commandant. Sorrowfully he told the men lying there, listening, -regardless of their pain, that only one hundred of his own plucky lads -would be able to follow him to the assault. As though the word of -command had been given, every little Gurkha in that room sprang up or -painfully rose to his knees and vowed to follow the chief, even if he -had to crawl or limp to the attack. Tears came to the eyes of both -Englishmen at the sight of such loyal devotion, and they endeavoured to -dissuade, but the little hillmen insisted. Of those hundred and fifty -men who had been reported by the doctor as unfit for service, -ninety-five were allowed to go,[23] and we can guess what torture from -unhealed wounds and from sickness they must have cheerfully undergone. -But go they would, for the honour of the Sirmur Battalion, and Reid's -heart was cheered by the thought that he had now two hundred of his own -mountaineers at his back. - - [23] This incident is literally true. - -Next morning an order was given; the roar of the heavy guns ceased as if -by magic; and Nicholson's column, springing up with a shout, rushed to -the assault in the teeth of a tremendous and deadly fire. Up the slope -of the glacis they rushed and on they surged, fired at by musketry and -grape, thrust at by bayonet and spear, with showers of bricks and stones -from the crumbling walls hurled down on their heads. At the other gates -the 2nd and 3rd Columns behaved with equal gallantry, and the small -force left to guard the ridge and camp watched their progress with -interest and anxiety. Up the glacis and through the breach of the -Kashmir Bastion they rushed, appearing at that distance like a swarm of -bees clustering on the slope, then, reaching the top, they disappeared -into the town. - -But the adventures of these columns, stirring though they were, cannot -be related here; we must return to Reid's force, where our friends are. -Through no fault of their plucky leader, the 4th Column was soon in -difficulties. It should have been supplied with artillery to clear the -suburbs, but though three guns were lent to them, no gunners were -present. Now, special training is required for the working of artillery, -and guns are useless without trained gunners, so Major Reid sought high -and low for men to work the guns, but none could be found, and -reluctantly, as though giving up hope of real success, he left the -cannon behind. They had not proceeded far before they found barricades -and breast-works erected in the way, and, sheltered by these, thousands -of rebels poured forth a heavy fire from every side. The Gurkhas and -Guides, dashing forward at the double, quickly dislodged the sepoys, put -them to rout, and cleared the way; but farther on they found the foe in -much greater force. Had Reid possessed gunners the barricades would soon -have been cleared, but nothing less than a cannonade would now dislodge -them, for more than ten thousand men opposed him. Unfortunately the -Jummu contingent formed the larger part of his force, and though Dogras -make gallant and loyal soldiers, these men had not had the benefit of -British training, so they became confused, and fell back in disorder. -Britons, Guides, and Gurkhas fought magnificently to retrieve the day, -but what could they do against such odds? Their progress was stayed, and -worse was to follow. The gallant Reid was struck in the head by a -bullet, and fell unconscious. Forty of the few Gurkhas were slain and -scores wounded, the Rifles and Guides were also losing heavily, though -without flinching, and the Rajah of Jummu's troops were doing more harm -than good. Major Reid's successor reluctantly gave the order to retire, -and, followed by thousands of the triumphant foe, the 4th Column fell -back in good order, fighting to the last. - -The pressure became more and more severe, and the men of the Jummu -contingent were fast getting out of hand. Large bodies of the mutineers -pushed forward on both flanks, forming a semicircle that threatened to -envelop our men. Several parties from the stauncher battalions were -detailed to delay these flanking movements, and of one of these, -composed of about thirty picked shots of the Gurkhas, Ted was placed in -charge, with Goria Thapa as second in command. He was sent some distance -to the left, with instructions to roll back the right flank of the enemy -for as long a time as possible. A stone breastwork, abandoned by the -sepoys earlier in the day, was pointed out to him, and he had orders to -rejoin the main body with all haste as soon as his position should -become really dangerous. - -Ted's command, bending low, scurried to the breastwork, and found not -only good shelter, but a favourable position commanding the enemy's -advance on this flank. Their muskets began to speak, and the discourse -seemed persuasive. Throughout the whole length of the horse-shoe the -action was resolving itself into a series of detached and separate -engagements. Ted's gallant fellows broke up one party after another of -the pandies, aiming with such cool accuracy that every bullet seemed to -find its billet. But while the enemy's right was held at bay, their -centre and left swarmed forward, and our hero, holding on too long, -presently found himself in danger of being cut off. - -Meanwhile the main body continued its retirement, the Rifles now forming -the centre of the rear-guard. The British soldiers soon began to find -the ground unfavourable, and the enemy pressed the more eagerly. - -Inspired to greater audacity by their success, a large body of mutineers -made a plucky dash forward, and surrounded a half-company of riflemen -and a few Guides in a deep nullah, from which they were in the act of -retiring. These men of the Rifles had been fighting gloriously, and had -spent their last cartridge before they grasped the fact that they were -unsupported and the sepoys were upon them. Hidden from view of their -comrades by the high sloping banks that enclosed the broad river-bed, -now almost dry, they fought for their lives with the overwhelming foe, -and prepared to die like the heroes they were. - -The wild charge of the pandies was checked half a dozen paces from those -lines of quivering steel. The hesitation was but momentary. With yells -of triumph the sepoys rushed upon the bayonets, only to be hurled back. -They recoiled, and those in the rear lay down and fired from between -their comrades' legs, and man after man of the Rifles dropped. The -lieutenant gave the order to charge, and back they crashed over the -stony bed; and the pandies gave way, separated, and fired again and -again as they kept clear of the bayonets. It seemed only a question of -moments before the detachment should be exterminated. Already the young -Englishman in charge of the half-dozen Guides was down, when a score of -Gurkhas, led by Ensign Russell, suddenly topped the bank of the nullah, -and tumbled in upon the rebels. In a moment all was confusion. -Unprepared, the sepoys turned upon their new assailants, and the kukris -were keen. Huddled together as the rebels were, the bullets went through -more than one body. - -Twenty men were all that Ted had left, but so sudden and unexpected was -their descent upon the scene that the charge was equal to that of a -whole company. How many were following, the sepoys did not know, and a -panic set in. The riflemen rose to the occasion, and before the -mutineers could rally, or realize how insignificant was the -reinforcement, British bayonets were hustling them to and fro, and their -leaders had fallen. The spurt of pluck--of their old courage that had -stood England in good stead on many a hard-won field--had died away; -they had no British officers to inspire and lead them, and a blind panic -set in. Each flashing bayonet, each shimmering kukri seemed multiplied -twenty-fold to the eyes and senses of the terror-stricken rebels. - -Ted was hotly engaging a lean pandy subadar, a typical Oudh Mohammedan. -The man was slowly giving way as Ted pressed upon him with rapid -thrusts, when the subadar snatched off his turban and caught Ted's blade -upon it. Before the boy could divine his intention he was at the rebel's -mercy. - -Not quite, though. The subadar stumbled awkwardly, let go turban and -sword, and Ted took the opportunity to run him through before he -understood what had happened. Stretched on the ground behind the subadar -lay Alec Paterson, the wounded officer of the Guides. Summoning all his -remaining strength, he seized the sepoy's foot as he was in the act of -slicing at his chum, and so upset his balance. The dead man fell across -Alec's chest, and he fainted away. - -Within three minutes from Ted Russell's arrival not a pandy remained in -the hollow who was able to leave it. The lieutenant called his men -together, nodded approvingly towards Ted, and gave the order to continue -the retirement. They joined the main body without encountering any -dangerous opposition. - -"Well, you are cool customers, you and your Gurkhas!" remarked the -subaltern in command of the 60th's detachment, as soon as he could find -time to make comments. "Pluckiest thing I've ever seen, to storm a -position like that with such a handful." - -"It was nothing," Ted muttered, turning away. - -"It probably saved us a few lives, young man, and I'll take care that it -is reported." - -As he spoke, the officer who had succeeded to the command of the column -when Major Reid fell hastened to the spot, and hurriedly enquired: - -"What happened just now? I was looking on, unable to send you help, when -I saw some Gurkhas come up from behind and drive the pandies from that -nullah." - -"He was in command," the subaltern replied, nodding towards the ensign. -"Had about twenty men with him. I never saw such a thing, and how he -managed to escape unhurt I can't understand." - -The enemy again began to press, though not so dangerously. Yet every -yard had to be contested, and the odds against our fellows were -enormous. - -Of all those gallant officers and men none fought more pluckily than -Captain Russell of the Guides; animating and encouraging his splendid -fellows, he was ever nearest to the foe, as many a mutineer found to his -cost. Inspired by the example, Ted emulated his brother's courage, and -with the Gurkhas did his best to retrieve the day, and always by his -side fought the young officer Jemadar Goria Thapa, son of his father's -friend. As they retired towards the Ridge the boy was more than once -engaged in single combat. Two assailants he had placed _hors de combat_ -with sword or pistol, when he perceived that his brother was struck, -though Jim, stifling his pain, continued to fight and to inspire the -men. Ted, gazing anxiously at his brother, forgot for a moment his own -dangerous position, when Goria Thapa knocked him roughly on one side. -Just in time! A bullet flew through the air where Ted's head had been, -and his career would have been ended there and then had not the young -Gurkha officer been on the alert. At the same moment two sepoys, one -being the fellow who had fired the shot, rushed at the boy, who vainly -strove to fend their bayonets with his sword. One of the mutineers soon -broke down his guard and lunged. The steel passed through the fleshy -part of Ted's arm, and the sepoy fell at his feet, slain by the sword of -Goria Thapa. The second pandy turned to flee, but a Gurkha standing near -bowled him over also, and again the little force fell slowly back, the -pandies snarling just out of musket-shot, waiting for a leader brave -enough to inspire them. - -Our ensign's wound was extremely painful He tied a handkerchief round -the arm, and remembering his brother's example, gave no sign. As they -drew nearer to camp, two hundred men of the 9th Lancers and four hundred -Sikh horse poured out to their support, charging like a thunderbolt into -the enemy's masses, whilst the few Guides and Kumaon Gurkhas, who had -been left to protect the Ridge, also came out to check the rush of -victorious sepoys. At that moment Jemadar Goria Thapa sank to the ground -with a bullet in his thigh. Here was Ted's chance to repay his debts! -Forgetting his wounds, he dashed at the three men who were rushing to -polish off the Gurkha, and again his life hung by a thread. - -But a couple of his Sirmur men had sprung after him, and with their -kukris they quickly despatched two of the pandies. Then with Ted's -assistance the wounded man was hurriedly carried away into the midst of -their Kumaon countrymen, and safety was reached. - - * * * * * - -When Major Reid recovered consciousness, he found himself on the back of -one of his faithful Gurkhas, who had carried him out of the fight. The -wound, though severe, was happily not mortal. The Nepalese crowded -around, their eyes plainly expressing both alarm and grief, and the man -who had had the good fortune to carry their beloved chief to safety -became an object of envy to his comrades. - -"What a lucky fellow," thought they, "to have had the glorious privilege -of saving the life of our wounded leader!" - -When Reid became aware of all that had happened since his fall, his -disappointment was intense, and the bitter sorrow occasioned by his -failure to assist the other columns aggravated the pain of his wound. No -less bitterly mortified were all his comrades, the surviving officers -and men of the 4th Column, both British and Asiatic, the reflection that -without artillery to aid, their attempt was doomed to failure, consoling -them but little. Their defeat was the more grievous because of the high -hopes and anticipations engendered by the striking success of the -bombardment. It was generally thought that this would have filled the -rebels with terror, and that the opposition offered to an assault would -have been much less sturdy. - -"Are you badly hurt, Jim?" asked Ted, as they looked on while the -surgeon dressed the wounds of their much-injured chief. - -"No, not badly. No bone touched. You're not hit, are you?" - -"Sword-cut here, but it's only a scratch. It hasn't bled much. Will he -do well, doctor?" - -"Sure to. Now I'll have a look at your scratches! Oh, you're right for -once, youngster. It is only a flesh wound, though I guess it hurts." - -He pronounced Jim's injury rather worse than Ted's, and ordered him to -take things quietly for some days. Ted accompanied his brother to the -Guides' post to see how Alec was getting on. - -"I wonder what's happened to the other columns?" said Ted as they left -their wounded commandant. Jim grunted, and vouchsafed no reply. He was -in a sullen mood, defeat being particularly bitter after such high -hopes. - -"Dare say they met with no better success," hazarded the ensign. "What -the dickens were they doing to send us out without guns?--the idiots! -It's a badly managed business anyway!" - -"Oh, don't talk so much," Jim replied. "We'll know about the other -columns soon enough--they're all right! And don't be so ready with your -'idiots'. A man directing operations on this large scale has a lot more -to think about than an ensign has, you know; though perhaps he don't -know quite as much as some, to hear you youngsters talk! Do your work, -and don't growl!" - -Ted shut up. He would have dearly liked to say something cutting, but -could not think of any suitable retort on the spot. And by the time a -brilliant repartee had come to him, he had perceived that his brother -was at least as much upset as himself. Thereupon he remained discreetly -silent. - -"There's Alec lying over there. He looks bad." - -"Well, Alec, old chap, not very bad, I hope?" - -"Not dead yet! They've got the bullet out all right, and I'll soon be -about again. By Jove, Ted, you're a wonder! It was a mad thing to do, -but rather a good job for all of us." - -"What was that?" asked Jim in great surprise. He had not yet heard of -Ted's great feat. - -"Nothing; it's all bosh," interrupted Ted, colouring and looking -somewhat sheepish. - -"What! Do you mean that you haven't heard?" Paterson demanded, and -proceeded to relate the story of their rescue by the Gurkhas. "It was -one of the pluckiest things I've heard of," he concluded, "to charge a -couple of hundred with twenty. You've saved fifty lives, and ought to be -sure of the V.C. now, in spite of Tynan." - -Jim rose from his seat, and solemnly shook hands with his brother. -"Ted," said he, "I'm sorry I was such a beast just now." - -Ted turned very red, and his hand remained limp as Jim shook it. His -chum's very evident admiration did not seem to give him any pleasure. - -"I s'pose you've not heard anything of the other columns yet?" asked the -invalid. - -"Not yet.... I'm afraid we shall hear soon enough." - -On the following day, news of the achievements of the other columns -arrived; good news mixed with bad, for Nicholson lay dying, shot through -the body as he headed the charge and led his men to victory. - -Soon came also tidings of the glorious acts of the heroes of the 3rd -Column, of Lieutenants Home and Salkeld, of Sergeants Burgess, -Carmichael, and Smith, and of Bugler Hawthorne--the heroes who had taken -their lives in their hands and had blown up the Kashmir Gate, after -overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles, a deed with which all -England rang. Of these six men, four were subsequently awarded the -Victoria Cross; and the other two, Burgess and Carmichael, would have -been honoured in the same way had they survived. - -Truly, even in this year of heroes and heroic deeds, the story of these -glorious men and of their act of devotion stands out clear to dazzle our -imaginations, to lead us to thank God that they were of our breed, to -make us wonder what we of the same blood would have done had we been in -their place. Then let us hope we become more humble in our pride. - -By the 18th of September the Lahore Gate and Bastion were also captured, -and on the 20th the whole of Delhi was in our hands. - -The Palace taken and the king a prisoner, the Indian Mutiny had lost its -sting. - -Yet, in spite of victory, gloom was over the camp, for a hero lay dying, -and there was no hope of saving his life. John Nicholson's wound had -proved mortal: a life that had promised to be of unusual brilliance -would soon be cut short, even before its work was more than half -done--but that half had been done well. The career of this dying leader -of men had been unique, even in the annals of British rule in India, -whose pages teem with the deeds and lives of heroes in the noblest sense -of that word--men worthy of all admiration, men whose lives inspire -others to follow the gleam. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII - -Ted Extinguishes Himself - - -"Where shall I find Ensign Russell?" enquired a messenger from -head-quarters as he approached the outpost. Ted was quickly found, and -his agitation may be imagined when he learned that General Nicholson had -sent for him. Nervously, reverently, and full of sorrow, he entered the -tent. The somewhat stern and haughty look, so well known to all -evil-doers who had chanced to cross his path, had vanished from the -great man's countenance as he greeted the boy. - -"So, young man, you've escaped unwounded?" - -"Yes, sir, ... at least only very slightly." - -"Ah, your arm, I see!" began the general. "Perhaps you can guess why I -sent for you? Somehow I took a strange liking to you that day I arrived -on the Ridge, ... though I ought not to approve of disobedience," -continued the wounded man, smiling. - -Ted bent his head and was silent. - -"You are the son of Major-general Russell, I hear? I knew your father -well. I served with him in Afghanistan, and he will be a proud man when -he hears that by an act of conspicuous bravery you perhaps averted a -disaster to a whole column." - -John Nicholson was silent for a few moments before resuming: - -"I have since heard how you distinguished yourself when your regiment -mutinied. You have begun well, keep on in the same way. Put duty first, -and your country may one day be proud of you, as she is to-day of Tombs -and Brind and Reid." - -Here the wounded general was interrupted by the entrance of Sir Archdale -Wilson, who, with grave and anxious face, had come to enquire as to the -condition of his second in command. - -Nicholson turned to him. - -"This is the lad, Wilson, of whom we were speaking yesterday. You -received a report from the officer commanding the 4th Column, stating -how Ensign Russell had helped to bring it safely in." - -Ted stood by with downcast eyes, and as he fumbled nervously with his -sword-hilt he looked anything but a hero. Once or twice he opened his -mouth as though he wished to speak, but could not overcome his -nervousness. - -General Wilson spoke cordially and kindly to him. - -"So you are Ensign Russell? I must tell you that your storming of that -nullah was worthy of the best traditions of our young officers. I am -proud of commanding an army in which deeds of heroism are of daily -occurrence, and young as you are, on General Nicholson's advice, I -intend to mark my appreciation by recommending you for promotion. Whilst -awaiting formal confirmation, I take upon myself to raise you to -subaltern rank. Good-day, Lieutenant Russell!" - -"Good-bye, lad!" echoed Nicholson. - -"Thank you, sir!" Ted mumbled and moved away, then stopped in some -confusion, and again made as if to speak, but the eyes of the two -generals were turned away. - -Anticipating some such reward for his brother's display of courage and -resource, Jim had accompanied him to the camp, and was now walking up -and down at some distance from the general's tent. - -"Well, what is it, old boy?" he asked excitedly, for Jim was feeling -proud of his younger brother's distinction. - -For a few paces the boy walked on without replying. Then he said quietly -and wearily: - -"They complimented me about something or other. I'm sick of it." - -"What's the matter, young 'un, you look miserable? Is your cut smarting, -or had you set your heart on promotion and feel disappointed? It's a -shame! I think you ought to be promoted!" - -"No, it isn't," Ted contradicted testily. - -"Ted, whatever is the matter?" - -"Oh, I'm not well, Jim! I'm sorry I'm such a brute." - -"You look bad, young 'un; you must have that cut seen to. I thought you -were queer as we came along." - -Ted turned on his heel. - -"Don't wait for me," he muttered, and retraced his steps towards the -tent he had just quitted, leaving Jim staring in bewilderment. -Recognizing the ensign, the sentry gave admittance without question. -General Wilson was still with his junior, and both turned their heads as -he entered. - -"Well, Russell, what is it?" General Wilson asked with surprise. - -"I'm very sorry, sir," faltered Ted, "I've been deceiving you." - -"How? What do you mean?" - -"I never meant to attack that nullah or rescue the fellows in it," the -boy replied, now speaking eagerly and hurriedly. "I never knew there was -such a place. I had lost a lot of my men, sir, and as the enemy were -being reinforced in front, I ordered the men to double back to where I -thought our supports were. The ditch was hidden from us by an -embankment, and we stumbled into the midst of the rebels, and if it -hadn't been that the Gurkhas are so sharp and never get flurried, we'd -all have been cut up, sir. As it happened, the pandies were more -surprised than we were, and they thought, I suppose, that we were in -force, and so they cut away. And everyone thought I had done it on -purpose, and they didn't give me a chance to explain. And then, as -everyone has been congratulating me, and I hadn't denied it at once, I -found it still harder to explain afterwards. And--well, sir, after what -you and General Nicholson said just now, I couldn't stand it any longer. -And I'm very sorry, sir." - -General Wilson glanced at General Nicholson, who laughed The former laid -his hand on Ted's shoulder. - -"Don't be alarmed, youngster," he said; "I think I see how it was. Of -course I can't send in the recommendation now. You understand that, of -course?" - -"Of course, sir." - -"Come here, Ensign Russell," said John Nicholson. - -Ted approached. - -"I like to shake hands with an honest man. Oblige me by taking my -hand--I can't take yours very well." - -Gently and reverently Ted pressed the hero's hand, then silently turned -and left the tent, lighter at heart than when he had entered it. - -Almost boisterously he greeted his brother, who had anxiously retraced -his steps, and was now awaiting him. - -"I'm all right now, Jim!" he cried, and proceeded to relate the whole -story, concluding: - -"You'll explain to Charlie and the others, won't you? I don't like to. -There's a good fellow!" - -"I'm rather glad it's turned out this way, young 'un," said the elder. -"I knew you were plucky enough before, now I know you're something -better." - -"I say, Jim," Ted blurted out after a few moments' silence, "suppose -Tynan's been done the same way?" - -"Done? What way?" asked the slower Jim. - -"I mean that perhaps someone began praising him for something he'd never -done, and didn't give him a chance to put it right at once, and then he -stuck to it for fear that people would blame him for not denying it -straight off. If it has happened that way I'm sorry for him, for he'll -be jolly miserable." - -"It's hardly likely," said Jim. - - * * * * * - -Outside the dying man's tent a few fierce tribesmen from Hazara and wild -cut-throats from Bannu (in these two provinces Nicholson had been -commissioner) had collected from the various Punjab regiments, and were -loudly lamenting the supposed death of their idol. - -"Jan Nikkulseyn is dead! The great sahib is no more!" they wailed, as -Ensign Russell appeared before them. - -"Tell us, _huzoor_[24]" a veteran native officer eagerly demanded, "is -he indeed dead?" - - [24] A title of respect. - -Ted assured the men that their idol still lived; but they shook their -heads, crying that the English were merely trying to keep the death a -secret, and the wailing recommenced still more noisily. A loud voice -from the other side of the canvas thundered: - -"Budmashes! Why do ye disturb my peace with that unseemly noise? Wali -Khan, drive the rascals away and thrash them well! Know ye then that Jan -Nikkulseyn is still very much alive!" - -At the sound of the well-known voice a cry of joy went up, and Wali -Khan, the old subadar-major, at once proceeded to carry out his order -with vigour. So he mercilessly thrashed those whose chorus he had just -been leading, scattering them in all directions. - -"Allah be praised!" yelled the men of Bannu, as they jumped out of reach -of Wali Khan's stick. "Allah be praised! Nicholson Sahib is indeed -alive!" - -He only lingered, however, for a very short time. On the 23rd September, -1857, John Nicholson died at the early age of thirty-five, having done -his duty to God and to his country. Heavy were all British hearts that -day, not only with the Delhi army but throughout the Punjab. May our -country never lack such a son in time of trouble! - -The tidings of his death were soon proclaimed along the border, and men -went about heavily as though mourning for a father. Many a villainous -fellow, whose evil ways and dark deeds had incurred the displeasure of -the commissioner, felt a sense of personal loss now that Jan -Nikkulseyn--his father and mother and hero--was no more. - -Shortly after the arrival of the news, a number of his devotees in Bannu -(a place which has been described as a "hell upon earth", because of its -wickedness, before Nicholson was made commissioner thereof) gathered -together to mourn their beloved chief. A _malik_, or headman, rising, -spoke of the general's virtues, his love of truth and justice; then, -suddenly ending, cried: - -"Oh, my brothers, what good is there in life now that our sahib is -dead?" - -As he uttered the last word, the malik drew a knife quickly across his -throat, and fell in their midst--a corpse. - -"He speaks truly! What is there to live for now?" cried others. But a -pious man of great influence arose, and, stretching forth his hands to -restrain them, spoke: - -"My children, think ye that our dead master would approve of this? Our -brother was mistaken; that is not the way to honour him. Let us rather -seek to learn something of the God who was worshipped by Nicholson -Sahib." - -The listeners considered and approved this idea, and forthwith a number -set out for Peshawur. From that town a visit was paid to the nearest -missionary, with the result that several were converted to the Christian -faith. - -To this day, when the wind blows strongly between the mountains, men -along that frontier declare that they hear the tramp of Nicholson's -war-horse. - - * * * * * - -The heroes of the Siege of Delhi were without number, but of all the -regiments engaged, the Sirmur Battalion had carried off the highest -honours. With tooth and nail had they defended their post, by day and by -night, for more than three months. No fewer than twenty-six distinct and -determined attacks (one lasting all day and all night) had been made on -them by overwhelming hordes of the enemy, by brave men bent on obtaining -possession of that all-important post, and twenty-six times had they -been hurled back by the handful of loyal, steadfast little highlanders. - -Their dogged achievements were not passed by unnoticed. - -Twenty years later, when the Prince of Wales paid his visit to India, he -held a review of British and Native troops on the historic Ridge, and -the 2nd Gurkhas (the old Sirmur Battalion) were given the place of -honour in front of Hindu Rao's house, the post with which the corps will -ever be associated. - -On that spot the prince spoke to them of the heroic deeds of their -predecessors, and conferred upon the regiment the title of "The Prince -of Wales' Own Gurkhas"; and you can imagine how the little men, -listening on that spot to the words of the great Queen's son, would feel -their hearts stirred within them, and would resolve that they would play -their part as their fathers had done, that the regiment might never -suffer disgrace. - -The Guide Corps was also awarded a special recognition of their services -(though not at the same date), the queen granting them the title of "The -Queen's Own Corps of Guides", a compliment of which they are justly -proud. The king is now the colonel of both the "Guides" and the 2nd -Gurkhas, the latter being the corps that distinguished itself so greatly -with the Gordon Highlanders at the storming of Dargai a few years ago. - -To return to our story. The capture of Delhi broke the back of the -mutiny. By that feat the British gained the upper hand and kept it, and -thenceforward their part was to attack and hunt the rebels from one -place to another, instead of being constantly attacked and pressed -themselves. The regiments that had taken part in the siege of the Mogul -capital were despatched to various points, to join the different forces -engaged in subduing the revolt. - -Charlie Dorricot was too seriously injured to take any further part in -the campaign, and he had left for England before Lucknow was finally -relieved. Alec Paterson had been less seriously injured, and was on his -feet again within a fortnight. - -Captain Russell and the Guides returned to the Punjab, for that corps, -as well as the Sirmur Battalion, had suffered terribly during the -three-months' fighting, and they were not employed in Sir Colin -Campbell's campaign along the Ganges. Jim, however, succeeded in -obtaining his majority towards the conclusion of the Sepoy war, and not -very long afterwards he was given the command of one of the newly-raised -Punjab infantry regiments. - -Ted, with his usual good luck--as his brother did not forget to inform -him,--was remembered by General Wilson, and was attached to one of the -regiments that was now ordered to reinforce the Lucknow Relief Force. - -But before he could join his new regiment an order came for him to -proceed to Lahore, where a court of enquiry would decide whether he or -Tynan was unfit to wear Her Majesty's uniform. The court consisted of -Colonel Bratherton and two captains. Tynan, Pir Baksh, and Dwarika Rai -swore on oath to the truth of the statements made before their officers -at Aurungpore. Colonels Woodburn and Munro gave evidence as to the -character borne by the two ensigns, and related all they had gathered -from Ambar Singh. Ethel Woodburn and Sir Arthur Fletcher corroborated. - -Unfortunately for Ted, Ambar Singh, the havildar, could not be traced. -He had evidently been restored to health, for all that could be -discovered pointed to the fact that he had re-enlisted in one of the -newly-enrolled regiments, and was probably with Sir Colin Campbell. - -In his evidence Ted flatly denied all Tynan's statements, one by one. - -First, he swore that he was positive Tynan had pointed out Pir Baksh by -name as the man who shot Colonel Woodburn; secondly, that Tynan had -cursed Pir Baksh more than once as a ringleader; and thirdly, that Tynan -had never suggested blowing up the arsenal, nor indeed had any idea that -such a step was contemplated. Fourthly, that Tynan had tried to prevent -him from lighting the train, and that there could have been no possible -doubt of his intention when struggling for possession of the light. - -Ted's evidence and the manner in which it was given impressed the court -favourably. Tynan's did not. His manner was not convincing, and it was -evident that he shrank from the gaze of the other ensign. Still, there -were three witnesses for him, and Ted's word stood alone. - -Then came new evidence to spring a surprise upon Ted's party. Two sepoys -of the Rajputs deposed that Ambar Singh had confessed to them that his -conscience upbraided him for having taken money from Russell Sahib to -blacken the character of the dead ensign--meaning Tynan Sahib. - -The feeling in court at once swung round in Tynan's favour, and the -officers of the 193rd looked at one another aghast. Sir Arthur Fletcher -smiled. He knew something about native witnesses. Ethel quietly -whispered to Lieutenant Leigh, who was acting as counsel for Ted, and -his face brightened. - -"Admitting the probability of bribery," he said, "what, then, is the -evidence of these two men worth? Mr. Tynan has had better opportunities -and more time than Mr. Russell to resort to such means--and, I may say, -a far greater supply of the wherewithal to bribe." - -But in reply to questions of the opposing counsel, Munro admitted that -when Dwarika Rai first gave evidence there was practically no -possibility of collusion with Tynan. Dwarika Rai had at that moment -heard that he was alive, and Tynan was evidently greatly surprised to -see Dwarika Rai. - -The court retired to consider their judgment. The evidence was in favour -of one--the bearing and character in favour of the other. They reported -to Sir John Lawrence that they could arrive at no decision in the -matter. The great man listened attentively, and proceeded to give the -matter his consideration. Something must be settled without delay, he -resolved, for the position was intolerable for that one of the two -ensigns who had right and justice on his side. - -Sir John requested the senior of the three officers to remain when the -others retired. Colonel Bratherton was a power in the district, with an -excellent reputation among the Sikhs and an unusually intimate knowledge -of the men he commanded. - -"Tell me your private opinion about this affair, Bratherton?" asked the -chief commissioner. - -Colonel Bratherton was silent and thoughtful for some time. - -"Well, Sir John, the evidence is against young Russell, but somehow I'm -convinced that he's straight and that the other is not." - -"Um!" - -A look of annoyance came over those masterful eyes, and the broad brow -was knit in perplexity. But not for long. A humorous twinkle took the -place of the frown, and the ruler of the Punjab presently whispered to -the soldier, whose expression of deep concern gradually resolved itself -into a smile in sympathy with his chief. They conferred for at least ten -minutes before the colonel rose to take his leave. - -"I'll arrange it all, Sir John," said he. "There will be little -difficulty, for I have the very men we want. Kendal will do it -admirably, and he can make up to the life. Where shall we be, though, if -they both hold out?" - -"Both?" Sir John's eyes sparkled as he added: "You forget there will be -a third--Pir Baksh. But of the ensigns one is evidently quite -unscrupulous, and will no doubt give himself away." - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV - -Pir Baksh renders Tynan a Service - - -This conversation with the chief commissioner took place one morning in -late September. In the afternoon of the same day, Ted Russell was -ordered to attend upon Sir John Lawrence. The great man looked at the -boy with a keen penetrating glance, which, though it seemed to pierce -him through and through, yet brought with it an assurance of confidence -and kindness. - -Sir John seem pleased by the inspection. - -"So you are the lad who blew up the arsenal?" he asked, a wonderfully -pleasant smile lighting up the rugged face. - -"It's still in dispute, sir," said Ted, smiling in spite of his -trepidation. - -"What do you suppose has caused Ensign Tynan to make this claim?" - -"I wish I knew, sir. Whilst watching them in court yesterday the idea -struck me that Pir Baksh, the mutineer, had somehow got a hold over -him." - -"Ah!" - -"Yes, sir. He was watching Tynan as a cat watches a mouse, and it struck -me that he had made some sort of a bargain with Tynan to save him from -death at the hands of the rebels if Tynan would whitewash his character. -And it struck me that Tynan was sorry he'd ever been trapped into such a -bargain." - -Sir John's elbow was on the table and his head rested on the palm of -his hand. Ted felt that he was reading his inmost thoughts. - -"And perhaps," he remarked at length, "perhaps Pir Baksh considered that -such whitewashing would be of little avail if it could be shown that -Tynan had been guilty of cowardice, and so the lad has to pose as a -hero? ... Um! It's just possible." - -"I never thought of that, sir," said Ted with obvious admiration. - -"I do not doubt your honour, Ensign Russell, and I mean to employ you -upon an errand needing strength of character. Take this sealed letter to -the officer in command at Amritsar. It is in cipher, and the key is -found by reading every sixth word beginning at the end. The road, though -safe enough for large bodies, is perilous for a small number; but -Colonel Bratherton can only send two troopers with you. Go to him at -once for horse and escort." - -"Yes, sir." - -"And understand, Ensign Russell, that should you be captured and have no -time to destroy the letter, you must on no account disclose the key--on -_no_ account!" - -"I will not, sir." - -Ted saluted and withdrew, greatly pleased by this signal mark of the -confidence reposed in him. An hour after he had started, Ensign Tynan in -his turn was standing before Sir John Lawrence. - -"And so you believe that Russell meant to ruin your reputation out of -spite? That is a very grave accusation, young man." - -"I can't help it, sir. It's a fact, and my word is as good as his, and I -have witnesses whilst he has none." - -"Native evidence, I must remind you, Mr. Tynan, is not difficult to -obtain. However, I cannot decide between you, and I have not sent for -you to discuss that affair." - -He proceeded to give Tynan a similar letter and precisely the same -instructions and warning as those given to Ted. Tynan repaired to -Colonel Bratherton, who supplied him with an escort consisting of Pir -Baksh and two troopers, and with these he set out for Amritsar. - -Night closed in with Indian abruptness before Tynan had covered half the -distance. Suddenly a body of horsemen blocked the way. Tynan drew a -pistol, but before he could take aim his arms were seized by the -troopers of the escort, and he was roughly dragged to the ground. A -search was made, and the letter was quickly brought to light. - -Pir Baksh had been seized in like manner and was dropped beside Tynan, -bound hand and foot. Tynan recognized the uniform of his assailants as -that of the 60th Native Cavalry, and he remembered hearing that this -rebel corps had been hovering about this stretch of the Grand Trunk Road -for some days. The two troopers of his escort declared for the rebels at -the first hint of danger. Somehow Harry Tynan was much more cool and -collected than on the last occasion of a similar experience, and he was -not nearly so frightened. Perhaps the explanation can be found in the -fact that his present state of existence was so miserable that no change -could be greatly for the worse. - -The sowars took little notice of their prisoner. Two native officers, -who seemed to have some knowledge of English, were eagerly scrutinizing -Sir John's communication, the rest looking on. But the missive was -evidently a poser, and the expressions of triumph changed to annoyance -and chagrin as they shook their heads and gave up the puzzle. - -"They will understand it," said one. "Make them explain." - -The speaker nodded towards the prostrate captives, who were quickly -kicked into a sitting posture and ordered to supply the key to the -cipher. Pir Baksh was eagerness itself. He hastened to assure them that -nothing would delight him more. - -"This pig beside me," said he, "he knows the secret, and will quickly -inform if you threaten him. As for me, I hate the Feringhis, having been -their prisoner. Set free my hands, and I myself will question this cur -and make him confess. Ugh! the very sight of him makes me ill. Coward, -liar, and traitor is he!" - -"If thou dost hate him so," asked a Mohammedan ressaidar, "why wert thou -riding by his side as a friend? Thou canst not take us in so easily." - -"Because my own safety obliged me to call him friend. This fellow blew -up the Aurungpore magazine--he says he did so. Of course we must believe -him, though I myself saw him trembling like a leaf begging for mercy. By -me was he saved from the debris, saved that I might have the better -revenge; and first I humbugged him into giving me a _chit_, saying I was -loyal--I, Pir Baksh, leader of the rebels in Aurungpore!" - -The subadar related the whole of the miserable business. - -"It is true," said Tynan with quiet despair. "Save his life, for he is -the blackest villain in Asia, and I had rather die alone than with him -as comrade. Kill me and I shall be glad to get away from him." - -A native officer cut the bonds, and bade Pir Baksh get up. - -"Get the key from the cub, then. If he gives it willingly his life shall -be spared. If not, do as thou wilt." - -Pir Baksh smiled in pleasant anticipation, and humbly addressed his -quondam officer. - -"Will the protector of the poor deign to supply his slave with the -explanation of that letter?" - -Harry Tynan looked him straight between the eyes and said never a word. -The poor lad had suffered much during the past three months, and again -and again his own vileness had been laid bare to him. He had enough of -good in his nature to shudder at the prospect. The lies he had told, the -public whitewashing for his own ends of the villain Pir Baksh, the -bribing of Dwarika Rai and the other Rajputs, all these had gone against -the grain, but never had he seen his own meanness so clearly, until now -that he knew that even this most contemptible scoundrel regarded him -with far greater contempt. - -Pir Baksh had rendered Tynan a service at last, for he had made a man of -him. Then and there the ensign resolved that nothing should drag from -him the secret of the cypher--that Pir Baksh should understand he was -not wholly a coward. The rascal poised his sword above the boy's head. - -"First I am going to slice off the right ear, then the left. If that is -not enough, Ensign Sahib, I fear that the nose must go. After that--" -Here he smiled and added: "But I think the sahib will not be so -discourteous as to refuse his slave's request. Speak quickly or thine -ear goes!" - -Tynan turned a few shades paler, but he bit his lip and answered not a -word. Amazed at this unlooked-for defiance the subadar hesitated--and -someone sprang in front of Tynan, a fist shot out and was stopped by the -nose of the Mussulman, who toppled over, and was instantly disarmed by -two sowars, who knelt upon the traitor's chest and mocked his cries of -rage. - -"It's all serene, Tynan, old chap!" cried the voice of Ted Russell. -"We're going to scrag that brute!" - -He cut Tynan's bonds, whilst others trussed up the rebel, and I fear -that no trouble was taken to spare him discomfort. - -"It's all been a put-up job," Ted went on. "They collared me in the same -way, meaning to test us by threats, to find out if either would betray -the cipher. This is Lieutenant Kendal who's in command." - -A short and rather "tubby" figure, arrayed in a rebel garb, came forward -from the background and apologized for having been compelled to treat -them roughly. He was obeying instructions, and assured them of his -pleasure that neither had betrayed the trust. - -"Yes, but you know everything now," said Tynan sullenly. "It was mean of -you, Russell, to play this trick." - -"I had no hand in it, Tynan, and was treated in much the same way an -hour ago, except that they only threatened me with death, not torture; -so you came out of the ordeal better than I, and I respect you for it." - -"That's all very well. You come out with flying colours and I'm ruined. -I say, Lieutenant Kendal, let me clear away. I don't care what happens -to me, but I simply can't face the fellows who knew me. Only let me go, -and I'll disappear completely." - -"Sorry I can't do that, Mr. Tynan, but I have orders to take you back -before Sir John. By Jove, I'll say all I can for you, though, and though -Jan Larens can be stern he's really kindness itself. Make a clean breast -of it, youngster." - -They rode back in silence, and the pretended rebels repaired to their -comrades of the Sikh Cavalry to relate a marvellous story of the wisdom -of Jan Larens, from whom nothing could remain hidden. The great -statesman was still hard at work at his unending task, but when he heard -the lieutenant's tale he bade him send Tynan in. He greeted the boy with -mingled kindness and sadness. - -"This is a pitiable tale, youngster," he said, "though you have done -your best to redeem it to-night, I am told. Tell me all about it, and -keep nothing back. Regard me as one who wishes to help you." - -Tynan broke down under the prolonged strain, and, bursting into tears, -sobbed like a child. Bit by bit the grim though kindly ruler drew forth -the whole story of temptation, hesitation, and fall, of misery and of -lie upon lie that had gradually sunk the boy deeper in the morass. - -"Sit down," he said. "You have been punished. Are you sorry it has all -come to light?" - -"Indeed I am not, sir. I feel as though a great weight had been taken -away. I suppose I shall be hounded from the service at least, sir." - -"I hardly think you would wish to remain in the army?" said Sir John -gravely. - -"I want to get away from everyone, sir, and I know I don't deserve any -consideration. But I never meant to do it, sir. He led me on, and got me -in his power." - -"You have been punished--and you may be thankful for it, my lad, for you -will have a better chance of a happy useful life than had your claim -proved successful. This evening you acted like a man, and I will take -upon myself to accept your resignation." - -"Thank you, sir!" said Tynan joyfully, for he had never expected this. -"Oh, thank you, sir! I will try to do better." - -"You may set out again for Amritsar this night, and join Green's column -at Umballa as a volunteer under an assumed name, if you can overtake -them. I will give you credentials, and when the mutiny is crushed you -may leave the country as you think best. My advice is to do your duty -like a man as long as there is fighting to be done, and then return at -once to England." - -"Thank you, sir! I could wish for nothing better, and it's more than I -deserve. I'll be a different man after this lesson. Indeed I will, sir." - -"God help you to keep that resolution, my lad! Good-night!" - -Breakfast was just over when the summons came for Ted. Sir John motioned -him to take a seat. - -"You have been thoroughly vindicated, Mr. Russell. Tynan has told me -everything, and I congratulate you on having done your duty. You have -suffered great anxiety and disappointment, but there is no doubt that -you will obtain the reward you so highly deserve." - -This virtual promise that the former recommendation would hold good, and -that the Victoria Cross--most coveted of honours--would be his, dazzled -our hero for a space. To Ted's credit be it said that his next thought -was for poor Tynan. - -"Thank you, sir! I--I hope Tynan won't be disgraced, sir. It was not -altogether his fault." - -"It will be necessary," said Sir John gravely, "to make public -sufficient to clear your character. I have allowed him to resign, and he -clears out to-night. I am glad, my lad, that you should have considered -him." - -"Wait a moment," said the ruler of the Punjab as Ted rose to go. "How -would you like a commission in a corps of Irregular Horse?" - -"Punjabis, sir?" - -"Yes. Colonel Boldre, whose regiment has mutinied, is raising a corps in -the Balandghar district, and he has written to ask me if you may join -him. I think it would be a good thing, and should advise you to jump at -the chance." - -"Is there any likelihood of seeing active service with them, sir?" - -The great statesman burst into one of his hearty laughs. He remembered -the days when he was the age of Ted Russell--how he had longed to be a -soldier like his father, who had led the forlorn hope at Seringapatam, -or like his hero-brother Henry. The chuckles ceased, giving place to a -sad smile as he thought of those past days. "A soldier I was born, and -a soldier I will be!" he had declared as a lad, for all his family were -soldiers. But the Lawrences were poor, and the civil service gave better -remuneration than the military, and for his mother's and sisters' sakes -John Lawrence had put aside the dream of his boyhood that he might earn -enough to keep them from want. He knit his great brows and looked Ted up -and down, and the boy did not know whether the grim administrator was -pleased or displeased with him. - -"So you have not smelt enough powder, eh?" he asked at length. - -"I want to do my share, sir." - -"Boldre's Horse are going to Cawnpore to join Sir Colin Campbell at -once. The colonel will be setting out from Balandghar in a day or two, -with perhaps a couple of hundred sowars, Sikhs, Pathans, and Punjabi -Mohammedans. Mr. Jackson is raising a few score Sikhs and Dogras for him -in the Jalandar district, and you are to set out at once to take charge -of them, joining your commandant at Delhi." - -"Thank you, sir! it's just what I should have chosen." - -"Very good! but remember this. Do your duty with just as much -thoroughness whether it seem attractive or the reverse. Should your fate -tie you to duties of an uneventful nature, should you be out of the -fighting and excitement, and have little chance of distinguishing -yourself, remember that your work may be quite as necessary and useful, -if not so showy. So, whatever you may be called upon to do, do it -gladly. I will write to Jackson.---- Oh! I forgot--I am sending Colonel -Boldre a couple of Sikh native officers for his regiment, tried men who -have been proved and found faithful. They will go with you. They are -good men; remember that. Good-day!" - -Delighted with the turn of events Ted hastened to call upon the two -Sikh officers. "Jim was right," he said to himself as he swung his leg -over the saddle, "I am a lucky beggar. It's better being in a British -regiment than in a poorbeah lot, but better still to be with Sikh and -Pathan cavalry or Gurkha infantry, because Tommy has to be taken such -care of, or he'll have sunstroke or cholera, or he'll wander away and -get his throat cut, or else walk into an ambush. But these Cossacks of -the Punjab are in at most of the fun, and they catch Pandy in snares -instead of being caught by him." - -Colonel Bratherton presented him to the two Sikhs. They were brothers, -and in spite of a few years' difference in age, he could hardly tell one -from the other. Each was dressed in white--no colour being more popular -among the Sikhs--the snowy turbans setting off the triangle of dark face -left visible, with piercing eyes, deep-set and determined, the -well-shaped nose, tight mouth, and long beard and moustache twisted and -turned upwards over the ears. They were tall and strong, with thin but -sinewy legs--in fact, all that Sikhs should be. - -Ted asked their names. Govind Singh was the elder, named after the last -of the Sikh high-priests; Hira Singh the younger. He told them who he -was, and that they must set out for Jalandar that night; and they looked -him up and down with doubtful eyes, evidently not too favourably -impressed by his youthful appearance. Ted found himself somewhat afraid -of those eyes; they seemed to hold so much in reserve. But he felt that -in a tight place he would be glad to be backed by men with eyes like -theirs. - -"When will you be ready?" he asked. - -"Now," said Govind Singh. - -"Then we set out after sundown." - -"Very good, sahib! We go to Lucknow to help Henry Larens." - -"But he is dead," Ted informed him. - -Govind Singh shook his head. - -"That is a poorbeah lie," said he. "As if those jackals of Oudh could -kill the great chief!" - -Astounded by the Sikh's incredulity, Ted asked if he had seen Sir Henry -Lawrence. - -"I? I knew him well, and so did Hira Singh, my brother. When the English -fought the Afghans, nearly twenty years ago, we were at Peshawur in the -Sikh army under Avitabile. The Sikh government had granted you Feringhis -a passage through the Punjab, but we Sikh soldiers preferred our old -enemies the Afghans, and we refused to fight on your side. We were ready -to eat up your Khyber column in those days, and would have done it too, -but for Henry Larens Sahib, who won our hearts, so that we fought for -him, aye, even to Kabul. Then when we challenged you to war six years -later and were beaten, he ruled the Punjab justly and with righteous -dealing, as his brother does to-day. Jan Larens is a good and great man -likewise, but Henry we loved most. We knew him well." - -"It is true," echoed Hira Singh. "If all the Feringhis were like unto -Henry Larens there would have been no mutiny. Just is he, and he -understands us and knows our ways of thinking as no other white man has -ever done. He loved us, yet was he firm--firm as is his brother, and -never was there a braver man. How he defied us all at Peshawur, though -at our mercy! And so great was his ikbal (prestige), that he forced us -to aid him even against our will. Jan Larens is a just and good man, but -for Henry Larens we would gladly lay down our lives. I know that he is -dead, but my brother will not believe it." - -"We will be ready before sundown, sahib," Govind Singh assured Ted as he -left them, greatly impressed by this evidence of the influence of one -good man, who had so won over his former enemies that they had become -his staunchest friends. - -Ensign Russell's kit was not extensive. He was now quite an old -campaigner, having learned at Delhi how to do without many luxuries that -he had formerly considered necessities. He gave his Mohammedan servant -instructions to prepare for a long journey, and Kasim Ali received the -news as a matter of course. Strange must be the lives of these Indian -servants, who are ready to change their place of abode at a moment's -notice for another hundreds of miles away. At Delhi, after the capture -of the town, Ted had picked up a bargain in the shape of a nice Arab, -good-tempered, robust, and speedy. But he also needed an animal for -Kasim Ali, and another for his kit and supplies, so he now called upon -an Afghan dealer whose horses he had previously noticed. The Afghan -brought out one sorry brute after another and tried to pass them off as -veritable treasures, such as Aurungzebe himself might have envied. Ted -looked guileless, and the Afghan was pained to hear him remark: - -"I'm in a hurry. If you have no horses, say so, and I'll go elsewhere." - -The wily coper began to see that his customer was no ignorant griffin, -so he changed his tone, dropped his protestations, and finally brought -out a couple of serviceable beasts, not showy, but strong and in good -condition. Ted at once declared that they would suit, and named the sum -he was prepared to give; and the Afghan, seeing that it was "take or -leave", ceased to haggle, and closed the bargain, not dissatisfied with -the profit he had made. Kasim Ali led the steeds away. - -"Must go and say good-bye to Ethel and the colonel next," said the -ensign to himself. - -Colonel Woodburn and his daughter had remained in Lahore after the -unsatisfactory conclusion of the trial, in order to be able to give the -lad any advice or assistance within their power. They were staying with -a civilian friend of the colonel, towards whose bungalow Ted turned his -horse's steps. The news that he had been cleared was already out, and -Ethel waved her hand joyously as he hove in sight. Sending a servant to -take the horse, she motioned the ensign to join her in the verandah. - -"I am delighted, Ted!" she began. "Do you feel like a free man again?" - -Ted sank luxuriously into the easy-chair. - -"Ethel," he said with unwonted seriousness, "I feel like the man in the -_Pilgrim's Progress_, whose burden has rolled from his shoulders. I -suppose you have heard how the truth came out?" - -"Yes; Lieutenant Kendal has told us the whole story this morning. But -what has become of Tynan? What is to be done with him? Poor lad! he's -had a harder time than you, Ted." - -"Yes," Ted slowly answered, "I know he has. I'm sorry for him, and I -don't know what has become of him. I don't think that Sir John has been -hard upon him. Perhaps he's been able in some way to give him another -chance. Sir John was very kind to me." - -"They say he is stern, but I've never found him so.---- Well, father, -here's the innocent victim of conspiracy, righted at last, and let off -on condition that he won't do it again." - -Colonel Woodburn and his host had entered the verandah. They -congratulated Ted, and Mr. Moncrief added: - -"You'll have tiffin with us, Mr. Russell? Make yourself at home here -while you stay in Lahore." - -"You're very good, Mr. Moncrief, but I'm leaving in a few hours. I'll -stay to lunch, though, thanks!" - -"That's right. Where are you going, then?" - -Ted related the offer made to him by Sir John, and expressed his delight -at the prospect. He had come to say good-bye. - -"Colonel Boldre is a very nice man," Ethel said meditatively. "Father -knows him well. I suppose you're an ensign no longer, then? I am glad to -meet you, Lieutenant Russell." - -Ted laughed. - -"It's a promotion in a way, I suppose," said he, "but I'm not gazetted -lieutenant yet." - -"You soon will be, though," Colonel Woodburn assured him. "Your -appointment is practically equal to promotion. Boldre is a good soldier. -I wish I were equal to it." - -"Do you still suffer any pain from the wound, colonel?" Ted asked. - -"Hardly now, Ted. Still, I'm not fit for active service, only for -garrison and depot." - -"Tiffin is ready," Mr. Moncrief announced. "Lead the way, Miss -Woodburn." - -By seven o'clock Lieutenant Edward Russell, Risaldar[25] Govind Singh, -Ressaidar Hira Singh, and Kasim Ali were on their way to Amritsar by the -very road along which Ted had journeyed twenty-four hours ago. Jalandar -was reached on the second day without mishap, and without any incident -more exciting than a half-hour's alarm occasioned by the approach of a -body of Native Horse. They turned out to be a detachment of the force -maintained by the Sikh Raja of Kapurthala, a loyal prince who, in -response to John Lawrence's invitation, had assisted the British at -Delhi, and whose men were now engaged in keeping a portion of the great -highway clear of budmashes and guerrilla mutineers. - - [25] The cavalry ranks of _Risaldar_ and _Ressaidar_ correspond - in some degree to the English _Major_ and _Captain_. The - senior native officers, however, rank below the Junior - British officers. - -Ted was hospitably received by Mr. Jackson, a civilian official of the -Cis-Sutlej States, who had enlisted some forty or fifty horsemen--Sikhs -from the Jalandar Doab and Dogras from Kangra. A few days were needed in -order to give the levies a little polish and complete their equipment, -and during this period Ted stayed with Mr. Jackson. Then they set out -for Delhi, through Ludhiana and Amballa. - -Five months before a certain ensign had ridden along that road with the -Corps of Guides, a lad in the highest of spirits. "Glory of youth glowed -in his soul", as he rode by his brother's side and surveyed that -splendid regiment, the pride of the Punjab, and, engrossed in the -splendour of the martial array, he had given little thought to the -horrors. - -Five months ago! At times it seemed as many years, and yet again, as -they passed some landmark, and a vivid recollection of some chance -remark flashed across his brain, at such a time it seemed but yesterday. -His spirits were still high, but experience had somewhat sobered him. He -thought of the great events of that fateful period, of the scenes of -carnage, of the lost friends and comrades, of the great Nicholson, of -the plucky little Gurkhas, and those days at the house of Hindu Rao. How -many of those grand men of the Guides, with whom he had ridden across -the Punjab, had gone back to their depot at Hoti Mardan? How many of the -little Gurkhas, whose arrival in the British camp he had witnessed, had -marched back to their station in the hills of Dehra Dun? What months -those had been for India and for himself! Then the rebels were winning -at every point, except in the Punjab. Now the Mogul capital was once -more in the hands of the British, the emperor was a captive, and though -much remained to be done, the end of the great mutiny was in sight. - -In the towns along the Ganges and its tributaries the sepoy hordes still -held the upper hand, and their numbers were daily increasing. Gallant -Havelock and chivalrous Outram had at length broken their way through -and relieved the intrepid garrison of Lucknow, but the mutineers had -closed behind them, and they in their turn were shut up in the -Residency, and Henry Lawrence, the best-loved Englishman who had ever -set foot in India, was dead. Hardly a big town along the Ganges but had -its tale of murder and black treachery to unfold. - -Delhi had been captured, but its swarms of mutineers had gone to augment -the ranks of the sepoys who were holding a reign of terror in Oudh; and -though Sir Colin Campbell was at the head of a fine army, there were -still threescore rebels against each white man. - -Arrived at the Mogul capital, Ted learned that Colonel Boldre had gone -on to Agra, whither he was to proceed with all speed. The route thus far -was open, for the Delhi column under Hope Grant and Greathed had cleared -the way, and fifty mounted Irregulars had little to fear from -undisciplined and cowardly budmashes. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV - -To the Rescue - - -The sun had just risen when Hira Singh, riding fifty paces ahead of the -cavalcade, suddenly waved his hand as a signal to halt, leapt from his -horse, and led it behind the bushes that bordered the road. His -companions reined in their steeds and awaited the explanation. - -The Englishman threw his reins to the nearest sowar and stealthily -joined the ressaidar, who was peering through the bushes. They were -passing through a well-wooded tract, abounding with mango, pipal, -tamarind, and other trees, with plenty of tropical undergrowth, giving -good cover. - -"What is it?" Ted asked. - -"I don't know," said the Sikh. "The dust hides everything." - -About half a mile away dense clouds of dust were rising in the air and -falling again to the rear, concealing all traces of the makers of the -disturbance, except that a few armed horsemen in front were partially -visible. - -"I thought at first it might be a body of rebel horse," observed Hira -Singh, "but it moves too slowly for that." - -"Bullock-carts, I should say," suggested the young officer, as he -trained his glasses on the spot. - -"That is what I think. There is an escort, so perhaps they carry the -poorbeahs' stores or ammunition or loot. Anyhow, we had better mount and -capture it." - -They were now within about thirty miles of Agra, and the sun's rays -were darting through the foliage, the golden light playing upon the -flashing sabres and glittering lance-points as the troop swept forward. -Ted's men were curiously equipped, some with shields, a number with -carbines; some had sabres, others lances, and many had both; and all -were seated upon native saddles of felt. Yet Ted was a proud boy that -morning, for, motley as was the collection, they were fine-looking men, -and were they not acting under his orders! He would have been less proud -had he known what his men were charging. - -The fine dust deadened the drumming of the hoofs, and until half the -intervening distance had been covered the cloud in front moved forward, -and rose and fell with regular cadence. Then the procession halted; they -had been seen or heard. - -Hira Singh laughed, and, lowering his lance-point, tightened the grip of -his knees on the saddle. - -"Only a rebel escaping with his goods and family," said he; "but we may -as well slay them, sahib, for without doubt they deserve it." - -"Not so, Hira Singh. Let us speak them fair. We cannot tell who they -are." - -There were two curtained _gharris_ or carts, each drawn by two soft-eyed -bullocks. Protecting these rode three horsemen, who now stood awaiting -the onslaught, two with levelled muskets, the third with drawn sword. It -was evident that the gharris contained their womenfolk, as for nothing -less would they have stood their ground against fifty. - -Crack! Crack! At two hundred yards' distance they had fired into the -cloud of dust, and a bullet struck Ted just below the heart. He doubled -forward with the pain, nearly losing his grip, and the bullet quietly -dropped upon the saddle. He glanced at his tunic; there was not a tear, -and he slowly realized that he was still alive. The bullet was spent, -and it had struck him with no more force than a thrown stone of the -same size. He was hurt, but not injured. - -Hira Singh's lance was couched again, and the horses were at the gallop. -The shots had roused the fierce Sikh blood, and it would have gone hard -with the horsemen had not Ted sufficiently recovered his wits, and, -spurring his Arab to the front, had called upon the ressaidar to pull up -his horse to a walk. - -He was puzzled that the three should have stood their ground so -valiantly when escape would have been easy, and he did not mean to -suffer friends to be slain. Besides, the carts probably contained women, -who would not be safe from the fury of his wild levies once they had -tasted blood. He caught Hira Singh's bridle and shouted the command to -halt, and the troop pulled up about thirty paces from the daring -wayfarers. Ted rode out in front of his men. - -"Who are you?" he demanded. - -Instantly the strangers lowered their loaded muskets, and the handsome -old man in the centre took his sword by the blade and held the hilt -towards the Englishman. - -"Allah give you victory, sahib!" said the old man, stroking his gray -beard with nervous fingers. "I thought ye were budmashes who had cut us -off. I did not see that thou wast a Feringhi until this moment." - -"We hope that no man was hurt by our shots," added the youngest of the -three, a slight but muscular and well-made man, twenty years of age -perhaps. There was something in his appearance that took Ted's fancy--a -dignified bearing and demeanour. - -"But what do ye here?" asked our lieutenant, "and why should ye fire at -strangers?" - -"I am Yusuf Khan of Paniwar, and these are my sons. In the -bullock-gharris are our womenfolk. We have fled from our home through -fear of the anger of the rebels. Know then, young sahib, that I have -raised my voice on the side of our alien rulers, warning and advising -our young men to abstain from acts of madness. The stain of blood is not -on my hands." - -He stretched out his open palms as he spoke. There was an honest ring in -the old man's voice, and his eye was open and steady. - -"It is true," said Ramzan Khan, the younger son. "We have remained loyal -to the Sirkar." - -"I am from Paniwar," continued the old Mohammedan, "but for years I was -surveyor with Henry Lawrence Sahib, from Gorakhpur to Allahabad, and I -swore that his people should be as my people, and that for his sake -would I help any Feringhis who might be in need. He was my master and my -true friend, and I loved him." - -The fierce-eyed Govind Singh walked his horse to the side of Yusuf Khan -and looked him between the eyes. - -"So thou art also Larens Sahib's man?" he chuckled. "I also. Thou art an -eater of beef and I an accursed infidel, yet for that we are bound by -the same ties to the same master--we are brothers. Dost thou believe -that he is dead?" - -"Aye, I know that he is dead, alas!" - -"Thou art a faint-hearted disciple, old man. He lives, I say.... Well, -tell me thy story." - -The Mohammedan turned once more to the English officer and continued: - -"The men, and the women also--and their abuse was the harder to -bear--taunted me, called me an unbeliever and a renegade, a taker of -English gold, because that I opposed the hot-heads. And then it came to -pass that I did that which caused all my neighbours to hate me. We -found--I and my sons--a small party of English men and women wandering -about the jungle, having escaped the fate of their murdered countrymen, -and we guided them safely into Agra Fort. All would have been well had I -not foolishly given my name to an Englishman who asked for it, and their -gratitude led them to recommend me to government for a reward. But for -that my neighbours would never have known. - -"And this is the reward, that we have been stoned and our lives -threatened, and to save ourselves from worse we left home last night -with what valuables we could bring away, and set forth for Agra." - -"But," objected Ted, "you are going towards Delhi, not Agra." - -The old man turned and pointed backwards. - -"Over there," said he, "half an hour's walk away, our road from Paniwar -joins the Agra-Delhi road, and we turned to the right instead of to the -left in order to escape our pursuers. For my son, Ramzan Khan, had -lingered near the village to see if we should be followed. We had a few -hours' start before we were missed, and, guessing whither we were -journeying, a number of the rascals followed, some on horseback, others -on foot. With bullocks we cannot travel at more than a snail's pace, and -we were unable to procure horses for the carts, so capture was certain. -But Ramzan Khan, having a very swift horse, overtook us just after we -had turned into the Agra road. Hearing the news that he brought, we -tried to throw them off the scent by facing about towards Delhi instead -of going on to Agra." - -"I came much quicker than the budmashes," put in Ramzan Khan. "Some of -them were on foot, and the horsemen were trotting slowly to allow the -runners to keep up with them, thinking that they could not fail to -overtake the bullocks." - -"What, then, do ye intend to do?" asked Govind Singh. A trooper to whom -he had been whispering dismounted, and, leaving the dusty road, stole -forward under cover of the trees and undergrowth. - -"Allah knows," replied Yusuf Khan. "Perchance, having picked up our -trail, they will ride on in their haste towards Agra without taking -further notice of the tracks we leave in the dust. If so, we may hide -until the danger is past. If, however, they notice that we have doubled -back, all will soon be over unless ye choose to help us. When we fired -we thought ye were the very sons of Shitan themselves, who had worked -round and cut us off." - -"Ah!" said Hira Singh reprovingly, "that was not a soldierly thing to -do, to fire before making sure." - -"But," said the stranger, "did we not see you charging upon us with -spears and swords?" - -"He is right," said Ted, with a laugh at Hira Singh's expense. "Why, -ressaidar, didst thou not wish to slay them all without stopping to make -sure?" - -Rishan Chand, a Dogra, stepped forward with a suggestion. - -"Let the women descend from the carts," said he, "and place some of us -inside, and let the bullocks retrace their steps. The troopers and you, -sahib, keep out of sight, but near enough to aid. Then when the -budmashes come, the zamindar (farmer or yeoman) and his sons, and the -drivers, can pretend to run away and leave the women at the mercy of the -rebels. Then shall we surprise them when they peer in through the -curtains, and before they can escape ye should be upon them." - -"The Dogra has sense," said Hira Singh. "Let it be so, sahib." - -"If the zamindar approve, it shall be done. What sayest thou, Yusuf -Khan?" - -"It is good; all except that we should run away, I and my sons. We do -not run from jackals." - -"Nay, but they will suspect otherwise," Ted explained. "And if ye resist -they will fire at you and at the carts, and all will be spoiled. Ye must -consent to play the coward." - -"Sahib, it is for me to obey you," said the zamindar. - -The three refugees walked their horses to the side of the conveyances, -from behind whose curtains veiled faces were already peeping in anxious -bewilderment; and presently an elderly dame and three younger ones -descended and were led by the elder son--a married man--into the shelter -of the bushes. Sikhs and Dogras began to peer inside the vehicles, and -two of the former jumped in. But Govind Singh was too quick for them. - -"Outside, dogs!" he shrilled. "Put back that which ye have stolen. Are -there not enough enemies from whom to steal that ye must rob friends, -and one who has served with Larens Sahib? Outside, I say!" - -Inside the carts was strewn in confusion as much of the old Mohammedan's -portable property as could be put together in their haste. Abashed, the -Sikhs dropped the few ornaments they had seized, and came out with -sullen, crest-fallen expressions. - -"Ho, zamindar!" called the risaldar. "Wilt thou or one of thy sons go in -this cart to see that naught is stolen? Our men are thieves; they are -but recruits who know no better." - -"Nay," replied the old man, with simple dignity. "Ye are my friends. If -they save my honour, I do not grudge them my goods." - -"If so much as the value of an anna is taken," said Ted sternly, "the -thief shall answer it. Let three or four of the Dogras get in each cart; -they ate smaller than ye Sikhs, and will have more room to aim. Tumble -in!" - -"Hide, you rascals, hide!" broke in Govind Singh abruptly. He pointed -eastward, whence the scout was running towards them, in and out among -the tree-trunks, gesticulating as he ran. - -"He is signalling us to take cover," continued the risaldar. "Sons of -owls, disappear among the bushes before ye are seen! Inside the carts, -ye Dogras! Quick!" - -The Dogras squeezed inside and drew the curtains across; and in a moment -all the troopers had disappeared, leaving Ted, Govind Singh, and the two -Mohammedans beside the carts to await the scout. - -"They are within sight from up there," he informed them. "I climbed a -tree and saw the dust they raised. They come at a trot, and will soon be -here." - -"What shall we do, sahib?" asked the zamindar. "We obey thy orders." - -"Go forward as before, thou and thy sons," said Ted. "We shall hide on -both sides of the road. When the budmashes come close, fire at them, and -then set spurs to your steeds, keeping straight along the road, not into -the bushes where we hide. We can see to the rest, can we not, risaldar?" - -Govind Singh grunted acquiescence, and with Ted left the glaring road -for the shade of the trees, and the little caravan went on. - -"Will they not mark the track of our horses?" Ted asked, being -apprehensive lest the plot should fail. - -"Once they see their prey they will take no further heed to the trail. -Dismount here, sahib; we can see without being seen." - -A view-halloo from the distance, faint yet savagely exultant, told that -the pursuers were within sight of the slowly-trudging bullock-carts. A -moment or two of suspense, then a shot rang out. A second report, and -two horsemen flashed round the bend and galloped past the watching -officers. Ted and Govind Singh were less than a hundred yards from the -road; the rest of the troop, dispersed over a large area, were rather -farther back on either side, hidden in groups behind clumps of trees and -patches of bush. - -"There's the cart," whispered Ted, as the zamindar and his son dashed -past them. - -With a twist of the bullocks' tails to urge them forward, Yusuf Khan's -two servants left their charges and scuttled into the woods. The stolid -bullocks, unmoved as ever, went forward snail-like, and the foremost -pursuers ranged alongside. - -Lieutenant Russell trembled with excitement. The Dogras were at the -mercy of the blackguards, should they have courage enough to take -revenge for the trick played upon them, rather than seek first to make -good their escape. - -The first four or five leapt from their horses, jabbering something that -the watchers could not make out. Their actions, however, were easy to -understand. They tore aside the curtains, laughing noisily; a silver -streak flashed forth from each window, and a couple of the scoundrels -staggered aside and rolled over heavily. Their comrades jumped back as -though stung, and the expression of blended terror and amazement -depicted on their faces caused Govind Singh to give utterance to a low -pleased chuckle. Said he: - -"It is the story of the hunter who chased the sambhur deer, and when he -was close upon her, and sure of his prey, she vanished amid the bushes, -and lo! he was face to face with a tiger.---- Ha!---- badly aimed! They -have shot but two of the curs." - -As their assailants recoiled the Dogras had fired. Some of the -budmashes, their courage quickly cooled by unexpected resistance, seemed -anxious to leave the scene without striking a blow, but the handful of -revolted sepoys who were with them were less cowardly, and they who had -muskets were already loading their weapons. Meanwhile Hira Singh and a -dozen troopers were rapidly skirting round to the rear, and Ted knew -that the time had come. He gave a clear whistle, and the rebels turned -abruptly round. - -Wild and shrill were the yells of those troopers as they sprang to the -saddle and converged from various points upon the mutineers, spoiling -their aim, so that not a Dogra was touched. The budmashes had no mind -for further lingering. But they had hesitated too long. The lances were -already couched and sabres bared, and the Sikhs close upon them, and the -troopers' horses were fresher than were theirs, and better animals -withal. Down the Agra road clattered the would-be murderers, Ted, Govind -Singh, and Ramzan Khan at their heels. Round the bend they went, and, -behold, the road was blocked by Hira Singh and his dozen Sikhs, who -awaited the mob with levelled carbines. - -The terrified rascals tried to turn aside, and the carbines cracked and -the lance-points fell and rose again, and Ramzan Khan's tulwar was -merciless. There was no fight left in these rebels. They had set out to -murder and despoil those weaker than themselves; they had hunted the -deer, as Govind Singh had said, and had caught the tiger. - -"Have mercy! Have mercy!" they whined, throwing down weapons and holding -their hands aloft, and Ted commanded that the fight should cease. He was -obliged to repeat the order more sternly and accompany it by a threat, -and even then the command might have availed little with the fierce -Sikhs had the young lieutenant not been backed up by the veteran -brothers. As for Yusuf Khan, the zamindar, the moment Ted had spoken, he -had wiped his blade and thrust it back into the wooden sheath. His were -the wrongs, but, thought he, it was not for him to disobey the -countryman of Henry Lawrence, who had come to his help in time of sorest -need. - -The prisoners numbered sixteen; eight or ten were slain, barely half a -dozen escaping. The mounted men were ordered down from their seats and -tied in fours, right wrist to left wrist, and bade march in front. The -women were replaced in the carriages, and the procession moved forward -at a walk, three or four sowars scouting in advance. - -"Sahib," said the old Mohammedan, "we are grateful. You have saved us -from a great evil." - -"Ye also saved the lives of my countrymen," Ted replied, "so ye owe me -naught. Indeed, ye have lost by your deed of kindness; I have lost -nothing. Believe me, I will tell your story at Agra, and the government -will not forget you when the rebellion is over." - -The zamindar engaged his sons in a whispered conversation. After a few -moments he said: - -"Your servant is not a fighter, sahib,--that much I have seen. Take my -son, Ramzan Khan, as orderly, to fight by your side. He is a good -swordsman, and not without courage." - -Ted jumped at the offer. Ramzan Khan met his gaze and said: - -"I am your servant, sahib. I cannot forget what you have done for us." - -And so it was settled that Ramzan Khan should accompany Lieutenant -Russell to Lucknow. - -Next day they crossed the Jumna by the bridge of boats, and Ted landed -his convoy and his prisoners safely in Agra Fort, where he was warmly -welcomed by Colonel Boldre, who was introduced by no less a person than -Claude himself. Ted's new colonel was a little man, of slight build, and -of rather insignificant appearance, until one noted his eyes and mouth. -Ted soon perceived that he was active and alert, with an air of -decision, and the lieutenant took to his commandant at once. Colonel -Boldre listened to the youngster's narrative, and laughed at the story -of the trick played upon the rebels. He inspected his new troops, and -was particularly pleased with the look of Govind and Hira Singh, whose -hearts he quickly won. Colonel Boldre had a thorough knowledge of Sikh -character, and understood their ways, and when his poorbeah regiment had -mutined, the Sikhs had remained loyal, and had saved their colonel's -life. - -Ted made a good meal of salt beef and pickles, and when tiffin was over -he and Claude left the colonel and strolled outside the rambling -building. - -"I never expected to see you here," said Ted as they quitted the room. - -"I suppose not. As soon as I heard that the pater had been given -permission to raise a corps I asked him to apply for my exchange. He did -so, and here I am. Knowing that you would prefer this sort of work to -being in the regulars, I asked him to put in a word for you also. I -cracked you up no end as a horseman and soldier." - -"You're a brick! It was jolly good of you to think of it. I suppose you -didn't much care to be under Hodson after what's happened?" - -Claude Boldre turned on Ted with a queer expression in his eyes--half -vexation, half amusement. - -"You're alluding to the shooting of the old emperor's sons, I suppose?" -said he. - -Ted nodded. "Hodson's a brave man--there's no one who risks his own life -more; but one can hardly respect an English officer who could -deliberately shoot his prisoners in cold blood." - -"Cold blood be hanged, Russell! Your blood wouldn't be very cold if you -were faced by ten times your own number, clamouring for the rescue of -your prisoners." - -"Perhaps not, but they were not resisting. They were not showing fight, -and he ought not to have killed them. They were men like himself, but -he showed no more compunction than if they'd been wolves or tigers." - -"Those prisoners were a jolly sight worse than wolves or tigers, -Russell, a jolly sight more wicked. I don't think you can know the whole -story. Hodson has a number of enemies because he's been so prominent, -and he is rather arrogant and zubberdusty (high-handed) at times. He has -trodden on other people's corns, and they've been too ready to believe -the worst without taking all the circumstances into account." - -"But, you know, he got into trouble over the Guides," Ted interrupted. -"Falsified the accounts and collared the money, or something of the -sort." - -"Not a bit of it. He had a row with one of the Pathan officers, and he -was rather zubberdusty; but as for the dishonesty, that was only a tale -set afloat by busybodies. The affair was investigated by Reynell Taylor, -and you'll admit that he would never condone anything wrong." - -"Yes," Ted agreed, "if he absolved Hodson it's all right." - -"Well, he did so. He said there was not an anna not accounted for, and -that the books were badly kept, because Hodson wasn't cut out for a -clerk, being always in the saddle, doing police and soldier work. Now, -as to this other business. It was Hodson who captured the old Mogul when -perhaps no other man could have done it, and he didn't put him to death. -Then he offered to go and bring in the princes--the vicious brutes who'd -murdered the English men and women in Delhi. With a handful of his -troopers he set out for the tiger's lair and captured them. They begged -him to spare their lives when they surrendered, but he resolutely -refused to give any promise. On the way back he was cut off by a mob of -armed fanatics, who were keen on rescuing the princes. Hodson's own -account, and that of his sowars, is that if he had hesitated a moment he -would have been overwhelmed and killed and they would have escaped, and -he was determined that the vile murderers should be punished and made an -example of. Without hesitation he answered the clamour of the mob by -shooting the princes himself; and his promptness cowed the fanatics. -They melted away, and not one of his men was hurt." - -"Yes; but was he not exaggerating the danger?" contended Ted. - -"He's the only one who can judge of that," Boldre replied. "And with all -his faults, I believe Hodson to be an honourable man. The prisoners were -bound to be hanged. No one even attempted to deny their guilt, and their -lives being forfeit, I don't suppose Hodson considered it wrong to -anticipate their fate by a day or two, when by so doing he could save -the lives of his own men. - -"It was a big responsibility," Claude continued as Ted remained -thoughtful, "and he had the courage to take it, believing it to be the -right course. He may have been wrong. I admit I don't like the thought -of it, but it was done from no motive of cruelty." - -"You've put the affair in a new light," Ted confessed; "but all the -same, I wish he had not done it." - -"So do I," agreed Boldre. "But look here, Russell, suppose the princes -had been rescued to spread rebellion by the magic of their name as the -descendants of the Grand Mogul. Would not those who are now decrying him -most have been the first to attack him for having allowed them to -escape?" - -"Well, perhaps they would," said Ted. - -"No, I did not exchange because of that," Claude went on, reverting to -Ted's earlier question, "but because I wished to serve under the pater. -I've seen so little of him for years, and he's a good soldier, everyone -say so. Very few of the Company's colonels have been given new commands, -you may have noticed, and the pater is one of the few." - -"Yes, it's rather marked that the newly-raised regiments are mostly -commanded by lieutenants and captains." - -A hand tapped Ted's shoulder. Turning, he perceived his new orderly, -Ramzan Khan. In reply to the look of enquiry the Mohammedan said: - -"It is not safe to go so far from the fort, sahibs. The people of Agra -do not love the English." - -"He's right," said Claude. "We'd better get back." - -"Is there any--" Ted stopped short with a little gasp. He stood staring -with wide-open eyes, and his companions followed his gaze. - -"Is that the famous Taj Mahal?" he asked in a tone of awe; and Claude -nodded. - -Our lieutenant of Irregular Horse having become accustomed to the -wonders of the East was not easily moved to admiration thereby. But now -he was spell-bound by the beauty, the exquisite perfection of that -lovely dream-palace, perhaps the most awe-inspiring work of men's hands. -In the ardour of argument he had not noticed the wonder, and now he -could not take his eyes from that central dome, white and ethereal -against the deep blue of the Indian sky, with its cluster of smaller -pearly domes, the whole great and grand and yet unreal, as if the vision -must shortly fade away. Men have attempted to depict the Taj Mahal in -prose and poetry and painting, and have all admitted the feat -impossible. "Go to India," Lord Roberts has said; "the Taj alone is -worth the journey." - -This vast tomb, known as the Taj Mahal, was built by the Emperor Shah -Jehan in memory of his wife, and finished about the year 1640, when the -Moslems were the great architects of the world. Forbidden by their -religion to make images of men by painting or sculpture, they devoted -their genius to architecture; and the mosques and tombs of Hindustan, -and the Alhambra and other Moorish buildings in Spain, bear witness to -their surpassing power. - -Ramzan Khan looked downcast as they turned away. - -"Ah!" said he sadly, "in those days were the true believers the leaders -of mankind. We are unworthy children of our great fathers." - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI - -Lucknow Relieved - - -Pushing forward with all speed past Mainpuri and Bewar, Colonel Boldre -arrived in the British camp on November 13th, shortly after Sir Colin -Campbell had assumed command of the Relief Force. The column was -encamped within and around the grounds of the Alambagh, a big mansion -enclosed by a high wall, three or four miles south of Lucknow. Here they -met many of their Delhi friends, who had come down with Colonel Hope -Grant, and one of the first to greet them was Alec Paterson. There was -plenty to say on both sides. - -Ted found that Alec, who still limped a little in walking, had been -appointed an extra aide-de-camp by the brigadier, who had noticed the -lad's great energy and thoroughness at Delhi. Alec told his chum how -glad he was that his name had been cleared, and wanted to know all about -the trial at once; but Ted was too anxious to look round the camp and -find out the notables, so, observing that the story would keep, he asked -Alec to act as guide. Paterson, by the way, did not mention the little -fact that he had greatly distinguished himself under Greathed at Agra on -the way down, and had been recommended for promotion. Ted found that out -from another source. - -"We advance to-morrow," the aide-de-camp informed his chums, and broke -off abruptly to call their attention to a big, square-shouldered man in -blue tunic, white cords, and jack-boots. "Here, do you see that man with -the reddish hair and beard? He's a plucky chap. He's a clerk, not a -soldier, but he's done a feat that any man might be proud of." - -"What's he done?" asked Claude. - -"Well, he don't look much like a mild Hindu or any other sort of -Asiatic, does he? But he volunteered to disguise himself and break -through the rebel lines with a note from Outram and plans of the enemy's -weak points and advice for Sir Colin. And he did it. Fancy a man of his -build and hair and features disguised as a native of Oudh! He must have -a nerve. But he got through, and the general now has the plans; and if -we succeed, Kavanagh will deserve a share of the credit. He's in the -Volunteer Cavalry now." - -"I want to see Sir Colin," said Ted. "Is he likely to be about?" - -"I'll point him out if we see him. And who do you think is going to -conduct the force to-morrow?" - -"Who? How should I know?" - -"Why, Lieutenant Roberts, the Artillery D.A.Q.M.G. at Delhi. That young -man will be a major-general before any of us commands a battalion. He's -a wonderful fellow, but so modest that nobody is jealous." - -"Fine-looking lot those Highlanders!" Alec observed as they passed a -group of men wearing the kilt and bonnet and white gaiters. - -"They're the 93rd, I suppose," said Ted. "Hoot, mon, what for do ye no -don the kilt yourself, Sandy?" - -"I should like to," Alec replied. "The 93rd's a grand regiment, and I'm -proud of being a countryman of theirs." - -"Hear, hear!" said Ted. "They look fit." - -The three friends entered the Alambagh enclosure. - -"Who are those two?" asked Claude, nodding towards a couple of -distinguished-looking officers who were walking about slowly, in earnest -conversation. - -"Ssh!--not so loud. Why, the older man is Sir Colin himself, and the -taller one with glasses is General Mansfield, his chief of staff." - -"Oh!" - -The boys looked with keen interest upon the commander-in-chief. They saw -a spare man, with a slight stoop, but a soldier to the backbone--an -elderly man with furrowed brows, bearing the marks of long and arduous -service; but there was no sign of weakness about the firm mouth, or the -eyes so clear and alert. - -"Yes, that's the commander-in-chief," said Paterson again. "Now, Ted, -I've shown you round, and it's your turn to enlighten me now. I only -know the bare facts that you have been cleared, and that Tynan is a -howling cad." - -So Ted had once more to tell what had befallen Tynan and himself at -Lahore, and when he had finished the narrative, Alec asked: - -"And what became of Pir Baksh?" - -"He was condemned to death and shot the day before I left Lahore. -Colonel Woodburn and Munro were almost as pleased as I was when the -truth came out, for I really think that they believed that I had been -unjust to poor Tynan. But Ethel Woodburn had stuck up for me through -thick and thin." - -"Miss Woodburn is the nicest, jolliest girl in India," said Alec with -conviction, "and your brother's a jolly lucky fellow." - -"He is so. Yes, she's all that and more, and she kept my spirits up when -I was feeling jolly well down in the mouth. Wasn't she glad when I was -cleared! It was almost worth while having gone through it all. I don't -suppose I'll ever see Tynan again. Poor beggar, I'm sorry for him, for I -don't think he ever meant to do it." - -"What became of those Rajputs he'd bribed?" - -"They were dismissed from the service. Dwarika Rai begged my pardon -before he went. He said that he hadn't understood that his evidence -might disgrace me until it was too late for him to draw back, and I -believed him." - -"It was a funny business altogether," was Claude's opinion, given in a -tone of unusual thoughtfulness. "The man must have been mad." - -"He was a born cad," said Paterson, "and deserved the same fate as Pir -Baksh." - -"I don't agree with you," said Ted. "I think there's some good in him." - -"Precious little. But I haven't time to argue; I must make a strategical -retirement. See you to-morrow." - -After Alec's departure Claude and Ted found their way to the roof of the -Alambagh, where were one or two officers whom they did not know. Over -the expanse of wooded plain they caught glimpses of the mosques and -minarets and gilded spires of Lucknow, rearing their heads above the -abundant foliage of the parks and great gardens. The city seemed to -stretch as far as the eye could reach, and they both experienced a -curious thrill as they gazed thereat. - -"And that's where Sir Henry Lawrence died, and where Outram and Havelock -are now," observed Ted, almost in a whisper. - -"Eighty-seven days they held out before Havelock got through," Claude -reflected aloud. "It was a grand defence. I wonder whereabouts the -Residency is?" - -"Over there, due north," said a voice beside them. - -"Thank you!" Claude replied; and they looked at the speaker, a -clean-shaven man with hair inclined to wave, attired in a dress that -seemed singularly out of place there, even among so great a variety of -uniforms. He wore a blue frock-coat, and his white trousers were -unstrapped; there was a white cover to his cap, and hunting-spurs -adorned his shoes. - -"Where are you youngsters from?" he asked. - -"Delhi," Ted replied. "We've just arrived with some Irregular Horse." - -"Delhi! And you two had the luck to take part in the siege?" - -"I served all through," Ted answered with a little pride. "I went there -with the Guides." - -"Lucky young cub! Wish I could have taken my boys there." - -"Rummy customer!" was Claude's comment, as the stranger turned away. -"Who is he?" - -"I wonder. Looks more like a sailor than a soldier. But whoever he is, -he's accustomed to command; I could see that. But I fancy it's time to -find our way back to our own lines." - -At 9 a.m. next day the column moved off in high spirits, Lieutenant -Roberts conducting the advance, with the aid of a native guide he had -secured. The enemy had been led to believe that the movement would be -made direct, by the northern route taken by Havelock two months -previously. But from the Alambagh the column struck eastwards for the -Dilkusha (Heart's Delight) Palace. The ruse was successful. Having made -their plans to meet the direct assault, the sepoys were not prepared for -the flanking movement, and no time was given them to strengthen the -defences of the positions now threatened. Outside the wall of the -Dilkusha Park the column halted until a large enough breach had been -made by the guns, and Ted watched the Highlanders of the 93rd pulling up -carrots in a field, and, after a hurried scrape, munching them with -great content. - -The obstruction was short; a portion of the park wall was soon broken -down, and in went the Highlanders, eager to close. But the rebels had -fled. A staff-officer, short and slight, trotted past as Ted's Arab was -picking its way over the fallen masonry. - -"There goes plucky wee Bobs!" he heard a sergeant of the 93rd remark to -his mate; and Ted recognized the officer as Lieutenant Roberts. It was -the first time he had heard the affectionate nickname bestowed upon the -much-loved hero by the soldiers of forty-five years ago. Roberts, an -artillery officer, had, of course, never served with the 93rd, but the -"Scotties" had seen much of him lately, and even so early in his career -he had won a place in their hearts rarely filled by any whose name is -not prefixed by "Mac". "Bobs" they had christened him, "Plucky wee -Bobs". To be known by such a name among these gallant fellows of the -93rd--the famous Thin Red Line of Balaclava--told of unusual coolness -and daring. - -Ted saw Lieutenant Roberts shoot ahead to reconnoitre, a native trooper -following. The artillery officer halted, gazed in front, and signalled -for the guns to advance. As he did so the roar of cannon thundered from -behind the yellow palace. The rebels had opened point-blank upon the two -solitary horsemen from a hidden battery, cutting the orderly's horse in -two, and the trooper fell beneath his dead steed. Roberts was seen -coolly to dismount in the face of the guns, and a loud huzza rose from -the throats of the Highlanders as he dragged the orderly from under the -weight, though the grape whizzed about them. - -Under his direction the guns advanced, and the mutineers did not stay to -test the British marksmanship, but made off with all speed in the -direction of the Martinière. Almost without a pause the cavalry cantered -across the high swards of the Dilkusha Park, the startled deer scudding -away on all sides in vain endeavour to escape the noise. - -As the Horse Artillery and cavalry drew nearer, the Martinière was -quickly deserted, and Boldre's Horse and a few squadrons of regulars and -irregulars pursued the sepoys as far as the canal. There was no dressed -line of thundering horses, for the troopers broke off in threes or -fours, whenever they saw a chance of engaging the pandies; and Ted, -spurring after Govind Singh, who, having the start of him, was hotly in -pursuit of one body of rebels, suddenly saw his friend Boldre busily -engaged with three faithless sowars and in sore plight. Turning to -Claude's aid, he drew off one, and, with a clever thrust, was able to -disable the man's sword-arm. Boldre, who was no swordsman, by good luck -cut down a second, and the third fled as Ramzan Khan came up at a -gallop. - -"Thanks, Russell!" said Claude. "But look out! here are half a dozen -more." - -Perceiving that the two Englishmen were separated from their comrades, a -number of rebel troopers--men of the Irregular Cavalry who had deserted -Henry Lawrence at Chinhut five months before--charged down upon the -little group with sharp, angry cries. Before the lads had resolved how -to withstand the shock, Ramzan Khan shot out to meet the pandies, and -there was nothing for it but to back him up. - -"Plucky beggar! He'll be killed!" groaned Claude; but to their amazement -the orderly showed himself a consummate wielder of the sword. He swerved -aside as they bore down upon him, and slashed at the nearest rebel as he -passed, the man tumbling like a sack of flour from his horse. Parrying a -blow, he disarmed another by a turn of the wrist, and smote a third over -the shoulder just as Ted arrived on the scene and made for the pandy on -his orderly's right. Ted swung his sword aloft--and then his head seemed -to split, and he saw the stars dancing in their courses. The sword fell -from his grasp, but his knees instinctively retained their grip, and the -blood streamed down his face. - -"I'm not killed anyhow," said he to himself, and began to look about -him. Ramzan Khan was engaged with two at once, and the cruel-looking -little pandy at whom he had ridden was clearly getting the better of -Boldre. Ted urged his restive Arab alongside the sepoy's horse, and, -having no sword, clutched the man by his tunic collar and under his left -arm, and putting forth all his strength, he swung him from the saddle. -Before he could drop him, the sowar, turning half round in the air, got -his knee on the neck of Ted's horse and aimed a vicious cut at his -captor. The blow would have done for Ted, had not Claude been able to -strike up the sword and give the point, and the pandy sank at the -horse's feet. Ramzan Khan's remaining opponents had fled. - -"You've saved me twice to-day, Russell," said Boldre quietly. "Are you -hurt?" - -"I don't know. Something struck me in the face, but I can't imagine what -it was. It seems as if my nose is bleeding." - -Claude roared most ungratefully. - -"Why," said he, "as you charged the pandy, he suddenly backed his horse -away from Ramzan Khan, and your Arab cannoned into it, and, -half-rearing, he threw up his head and caught you full on the nose as -you were leaning forward. Then I drew the pandy's attention from you." - -"Is that how it was? Where did my sword go?---- Ah! there it is; but -what an ass I am!" - -"Why particularly so?" - -"I never had the sense to use my pistol." He took out his Deane and -Adams revolver and fingered it regretfully, adding to the orderly as -they turned back towards the Martinière and again joined their -comrades: - -"We owe our lives to your courage and skill, Ramzan Khan. You are -bleeding. Are you hurt?" - -The Mohammedan grinned, showing his even teeth and the whites of his -eyes. - -"It is nothing. I owed you a debt, sahib, so let there be no talk of -thanks. It was for this purpose that my father sent me to ride by your -side." - -"I thank you no less," Ted assured him; and added, "You can use your -sword." - -"Ah! my father taught us. He is indeed a swordsman. He will be pleased -that I have proved of service." - -As they drew near to the Martinière Claude exclaimed: - -"Hullo, there's our friend of yesterday! Why, of course it's Peel! What -duffers we were not to guess!" - -Peel! Captain Peel of H.M.S. _Shannon_, commanding the famous Naval -Brigade with the big guns from the man-of-war at Calcutta. Yes, he it -was who had shown them the position of the Residency. Right glad were -the troops in Ladysmith of the aid of the sailors and their splendid -guns, and glad were the raisers of the Lucknow siege when Peel and his -jolly tars came to bear a hand. - -The sailors had unyoked the stolid bullocks--"cow-horses" they -contemptuously termed them--and were hauling on the drag-ropes, drawing -the mighty engines of destruction along as though they were but wooden -toys, and the Punjabis of Boldre's Horse gazed in bewilderment at this -new species of Feringhi. Shorter men than themselves, but what giants in -strength! - -"Who are they, sahib?" asked Govind Singh. "Is it a new kind of soldier -like those big warriors in petticoats we first saw yesterday?" And Ted -tried hard to explain to the Sikhs how Britain's chief strength lay, not -in her comparatively small army, but in her glorious navy. - -"But why are they doing coolie work? They are indeed strong as -bullocks." - -"Do bullocks take a pride in their work, or can they do it half so -well?" Ted replied. "These men love their guns, and they rejoice in -their strength, and so they are invincible." - -In all probability Ramzan Khan had saved our hero's life that November -afternoon, but the same night he was fighting desperately against an -equally remorseless foe, against whom his orderly's swordmanship was of -no avail. For he was again down with cholera, and this time a far worse -attack than the slight one at Delhi, and when his chums left his bedside -next morning they hardly dared hope to see him again. For days he lay -between life and death, and then, thanks to a tough constitution and a -healthy life, he rallied and began to pick up. - -The Martinière, in which he lay, was a vast palace built by Claude -Martin, a French adventurer who had amassed great wealth in Lucknow. It -was a curious building, with statues placed wherever they would stand, -in grotesque profusion. The Frenchman had hoped to sell the palace to -his friend the King of Oudh, naming a price of one million sterling. But -the monarch had laughed at the idea, informing old Monsieur Martin that -by their law the property would belong to the sovereign on the death of -the owner. So Martin determined to outwit the king, and prepared his own -tomb within the building. In due course Claude Martin died and was -buried therein, thus circumventing his royal master, for no Mussulman -dare live in a building in which the body of an unbeliever has lain. -Previous to the siege the Martinière had been used as a school for the -children of soldiers. - -As Ted lay in helpless pain the booming of the guns never seemed to -cease. In spirit he was back again with the Gurkhas on the Ridge, -watching Brind's battery pounding at the walls of Delhi. At last the -thunder of the cannon ceased, and he fell asleep. When he woke up Alec -Paterson was talking to the doctor, and he heard the latter say: "I -think he's all right now; he's had a bad time, though." - -"Hullo, Alec! Has Brind breached the walls yet?" - -"Brind? You're wandering, old man; we're just outside Lucknow." And, -faintly remembering, Ted began to collect his scattered wits. - -"I've been dreaming," said he. "I thought we were still on the Ridge. I -remember now. Sir Colin is attacking to-day, isn't he?" - -"Not to-day; we're retreating to-day." - -"What? D'you think you can pull my leg so easily?" - -"It's a fact. The force is retiring, and I've come on with instructions. -Listen! Those are Blunt's guns." - -"And do you mean to say that we're leaving Lucknow to the rebels?" - -"I do." - -"And Outram and Havelock, and the women and children?" - -"No," laughed his chum; "we've brought them away. I've just ridden from -the Dilkusha, where preparations are being made to receive them. I've -been ragging you. We have relieved Lucknow, but, not being strong enough -to hold the town, Sir Colin is retiring on Cawnpore. He means to send -the women to Allahabad and wait for reinforcements. You've missed a lot, -old man. Your luck deserted you this time." - -"How did our fellows behave?" - -"Boldre's Horse? Hardly engaged. The brunt of the work fell on the 53rd, -93rd, and 4th Sikhs. It was fine to see the two last regiments storm the -Sikanderbagh, the Sikhs going off with a rush and the Highlanders after -them, racing like mad. A Highlander jumped first through the breach and -was killed, then Sikhs and Pathans and Highlanders all mixed. It was -fine! The Englishmen and Irishmen of the 53rd did some good work too." - -"Have you seen Havelock and Outram?" - -"Rather! Saw the meeting between them and Sir Colin and Hope Grant. -Havelock looks bad; I'm afraid he's a dying man. I wouldn't have missed -these last few days for anything, Ted. Did you hear where I went the -night you were taken bad?" - -"No. Were you on a _daur_[26]?" - - [26] A surprise expedition on a small scale. - -"Not exactly. We had run out of ammunition almost, and Sir Colin was mad -with the responsible artillery officer. He sent for little Roberts, and -asked if he could find his way back to the Alambagh in the dark with a -mob of camels to bring back the ammunition before morning. It was a -dangerous bit of night-work, but Roberts said he'd do it. So the chief -told him to get one hundred and fifty camels and an escort from Grant, -and also take back the wretched artillery officer and leave him at the -Alambagh in disgrace. Roberts had left his native guide in charge of -some Afghans, but the fellow had given his guard the slip, and he was -floored. However, without letting on, he asked for an escort of native -cavalry. Grant wished him to take English lancers, but Roberts said -Englishmen were too noisy and jingly, and helpless if separated. In -charge of the escort were Younghusband and Gough, and I begged leave at -the last moment. - -"Roberts was in a sweat. Before the previous day he'd never been over -the ground, and the night was black, and we were liable to wander in any -direction but the right one, and unless he got back with the ammunition -within a few hours all the general's plans would be upset. However, with -his usual genius for doing the right thing, he landed us within a short -distance of the Alambagh, and went on alone to explain, being afraid -lest the garrison, mistaking us for rebels, should fire and stampede -the _oonts_ (camels), and then we should be left. He soon came back to -say that they were getting the ammunition-boxes ready, so we quickly -loaded the camels and got back in good time. Sir Colin was awfully -pleased with him. It was rather exciting. If young Roberts lives long -enough he'll be a great man." - -"He's a jolly decent fellow." - -"Yes, I saw him do another fine thing a day or two ago. We'd captured -the mess-house close to the Residency, and Roberts planted the Union -Jack on the top as a signal that we should soon rescue them. He was -exposed to the rebel fire, and they soon bowled the flag over. Up he -went again, and though they missed him they brought the staff down -again. He set it up a third time, and for the third time they knocked it -down. But he beat 'em in the end." - -"Good!" - -"There was a drummer-boy named Ross," Alec continued, "who did a similar -thing. When the Shah Nujif, the highest mosque in Lucknow, was captured, -he climbed like a monkey to the very top, and there he blew the 93rd's -bugle-call towards the Residency while the pandies were making a target -of him. Only a kid of twelve too! But I must go now, old chap. Hope -you'll be all right for the final assault." - -A few days after the arrival of the rescued garrison of Lucknow at the -Alambagh, Ted Russell was on his legs again, and the risaldar Govind -Singh was describing the part Boldre's Horse had played in the assault. -The veteran's deep-set eyes flashed as he spoke of deeds of daring, when -suddenly he changed his tone and his countenance softened. - -"He is indeed dead, sahib," he said quietly. "I saw his grave, and they -tell me that the English words on the tombstone mean that he tried to do -his duty. The old Mohammedan was right." - -Ted understood that the grim Sikh was referring to his hero, Sir Henry -Lawrence, and he asked Govind Singh to tell him more about the saintly -warrior. They strolled into the grounds, and in the square their -attention was attracted by a solemn group, who stood bareheaded and -downcast. Ted approached, in time to see a coffin lowered. - -"Who is dead?" he asked in a whisper of a sergeant of the 93rd, who -stood by. The Highlander looked dourly at his questioner. - -"Wha should it be but the best of a'?" said he. - -"Not Havelock?" - -The Highlander nodded, and continued to gaze into the grave. It was -indeed the hero of the First Relief of Lucknow who had died, and -disappointed the millions who had looked forward to welcoming the -victorious soldier home to England. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII - -An Encounter with the Nana Sahib - - -Knowing that his present force would be lost in the mazes of Lucknow, -Sir Colin awaited reinforcements. Jung Bahadur, the Gurkha prime -minister and commander-in-chief, was marching down to his assistance -with a strong column of the Nepal army, and Lord Canning, the -governor-general, had advised Sir Colin to wait for the Gurkhas, as -their general was keen on taking part in the siege, and Jung Bahadur -would be annoyed if he had to return to Nepal without having had a share -in any important fighting, and his friendship was worth something to the -British. The troops were therefore employed in keeping open -communications, and in small expeditions to Bithur, where Nana Sahib -lived, and whithersoever the rebels were gathered in force. - -Christmas came and went, and a new year opened, before Ted Russell took -part in another fight. In the early days of January, 1858, the rebels -were attacked at the village of Khuda-ganj, north-west of Cawnpore. - -No sooner were the troops within range than the native gunners opened -fire, and showed how excellent had been their training. The shells -whizzed viciously overhead, and one burst with a crash between Ted and -Ramzan Khan, who were within ten paces of each other, the fragments -whirring about their ears without touching man or beast. Boldre's Horse -were ordered to retire out of range, and the Horse Artillery began to -talk back, and Peel's tars came running up, dragging their big guns -along without apparent effort, and, wheeling them smartly into action, -were soon pumping shot and shell into the rebel stronghold. - -The rest of the troops were ordered to take cover and lie down until the -cannon should have played havoc among the mutineers, and prepared the -way for a bayonet charge. And now Ted and Claude, from behind the -sand-hills, witnessed an unusual incident, no less than open defiance of -the commander-in-chief himself, by an English regiment--flat mutiny in -fact. - -The men of the 53rd firmly believed that Sir Colin favoured the -Highlanders unduly, and gave them more than their due. Having learned -that he had selected the 93rd for the honour of leading the stormers, -they quietly determined to baulk their rivals. The rebel fire was still -unsilenced--indeed both Sir Colin and General Hope Grant had just been -hit by spent bullets--when one of the 53rd rose and ran forward yelling. -A howl of triumph and a cheer, and the regiment dashed after him. - -Sir Colin was furious--but the 53rd must be supported, even though they -had upset his plans. He gave the 93rd the order to back them up, and -Hope Grant advanced his cavalry. - -A thrill of delight passed through the nerves of our two lieutenants as -the "Charge" was sounded, and the line of British Lancers and Sikh and -Pathan Irregulars shot forward at a gallop, knee to knee as though on -parade, the earth quivering beneath the hammering, the horses straining -as if they entered into the feelings of their riders. It was a supreme -moment, and Ted could tell that his good Arab was as excited as himself -as the line thundered onwards. And then the regularity of the gallop was -spoiled and the better-horsed shot ahead, for the lads of the 53rd had -broken Jack Pandy's heart, and he was already scudding away with his -guns. One party of rebels after another was overtaken and scattered, and -on went the cavalry until all the guns were captured and hardly a rebel -was left in sight. Then they turned and charged back upon those who had -escaped the first shock. - -"Hurt at all?" asked Ted as he came up with Claude Boldre. - -Boldre pointed to his leg, from which the blood was welling. "Bit of a -bayonet prick from a pandy who was down. I don't think much of it." - -"Better have it bathed, though.---- By Jove, look there! Roberts is a -dead man--no, he's cut the sepoy down!" - -The troop of native cavalry with which the future hero of Kandahar and -Pretoria was riding had come across a body of mutineers, who, unable to -escape, had turned and fired, mortally wounding Younghusband, the -commandant. Roberts was hurrying to his friend's aid, when he noticed a -pandy in the act of slaying one of his troopers. He instantly engaged -the rebel, and, cutting him down, saved the life of the Punjabi. Turning -round Lieutenant Roberts perceived a couple of sepoys hurrying off with -a standard, so he pursued and overtook them, and, seizing the standard -with his left hand, he killed the bearer. As he did so the other sepoy -let fly, his musket barely a foot away. Luckily for England it missed -fire, and the second opponent was speedily disposed of, and Lieutenant -Roberts bore away the standard and thereby gained the V.C. - -"Well done, Roberts!" exclaimed Ted as they watched him ride away. - -"Didn't you shiver when you saw the pandy pull the trigger?" - -"I went cold all over. I thought he was done for. But come along and -bathe your cut if you don't want to be laid up." - -"I don't want that, thanks--not until we've driven the beggars out of -Lucknow. - -"I like that nag of yours better every time I see him," observed Boldre, -as his own horse stumbled towards camp, winded by the long gallop. - -"Yes, he was a bargain. I should like to know who owned him originally. -By the way, I wonder what Sir Colin will do to the 53rd. The chief can -be a peppery old gentleman when he likes, and I expect there'll be a -row." - -"Yes, I shouldn't care to be in their shoes." - -They were not present to witness the scene, but for once in his life Sir -Colin was vanquished. Whenever he attempted to "dress down" the -regiment, the "bhoys" of the 53rd, highly elated by the success of their -trick, would interrupt with shouts of "Three cheers for the -commander-in-chief, boys!" And so rapturously did they applaud and with -such hearty good-temper that the old general was forced to laugh in -spite of himself; and after that it was no use to pretend to be angry. -He rode away amid a storm of cheers. The 53rd had won. - -After a prolonged stay at Fatehghar, Boldre's Horse returned to -Cawnpore. Now for the first time Ted had leisure to look round this -town, so sorrowfully interesting to the English race. Alec knew the -place well, having stayed there before Ted came down from Lahore; so he -took his chum to the ghaut where the massacre had begun, and then to -that last sad scene of the murder. - -There were gruesome sights still to be witnessed in Cawnpore, and, -partially inured as the lads now were to the horrors of war, there was -that in Cawnpore to make them shudder--bones bleaching on the many -sand-banks of the broad river, and corpses floating down its sacred -stream. - -But the saddest sights of all were those which recalled the foul -treachery of the previous summer. Nowhere did the British soldiers so -long to close with the sepoys, hand to hand and steel against steel, as -at Cawnpore. Ill fared it, then, with any natives of that town whom the -soldiers suspected of having helped, or even looked on, at that dire -tragedy. It is to be feared that the innocent sometimes suffered for the -sins of the guilty, for the soldiers were not in a mood to discriminate, -and they did not know then that sepoys, even of the rebel regiments, had -absolutely refused to obey the Nana, when he gave the order for the -women and children to be murdered. - -The Sikh and Pathan allies had old scores to pay off against the Oudh -sepoys, and they were with difficulty restrained. More than one harmless -Hindu, who had taken no part in the outrage--who had perhaps risked his -life for his master--fell a victim to their vengeance. - -Our two Aurungpore officers were gazing upon the waters of the Ganges, -some distance east of the ghaut, silent and meditative. Ted was -picturing the scene of the massacre, and the terrible agonies of the -women as they saw their husbands being killed off by the concealed -marksmen without a chance to retaliate; and the horror of all as the -survivors were dragged to shore amid the gleeful shouts of the ruffians. -Perhaps a pandy had been lying down there where he and Alec stood. His -hand went to his sword-hilt at the thought. - -Paterson on the other hand was trying to realize that this muddy stream -was actually the great Ganges, the wonderful river of which he had heard -and read so much in childhood--Mother Ganges, the deity of the Hindus. - -A nearly-naked Hindu entered the sacred stream, a brass vessel in his -hand. Wading until his knees were covered he dipped the loto in the -filthy water and drank therefrom, or rather filled his mouth and let it -trickle out again. Then he splashed his body from head to foot, and -presently crouched down in the water and prayed to Mother Gunga. - -"Well," observed Ted with disgust, "if that chap ain't poisoned he -deserves to be purified. Ugh! drinking that filth!" - -"He keeps looking at us," said Alec. "I wonder what he wants." - -"No good, I'll be bound. He's praying now." - -The devotee came to the bank and began to smear himself with holy mud, -facing in turn north, east, south, and west. A number of Hindus were now -in the water, but none was so devout as he, whom the others watched in -respectful admiration. Quite suddenly he raised his arm on high, and, -fixing the two with his rolling eyes, he cursed them aloud. Pretending -not to notice, the boys turned away, but the _yogi_ ran after them, the -holy water dripping from his hair and body as he ran. - -Calling them to halt, he fired off another volley of curses in a high -shrill voice, greatly to the delight of his co-religionists. He called -heaven to witness that he hated the unclean Feringhi, and vowed that -destruction would come upon them suddenly unless they gave heed to him -and returned to their own country. - -By this time the yogi had approached within a pace or two of the lads, -who were quickly walking away from the scene, and fifty yards to the -rear followed admiring groups. The yogi leaned his head forward, -spitting forth his curses, and then ostentatiously drew a knife from the -folds of his loincloth, and changed his tone in a most unexpected -manner. - -"Take me prisoner! Quick, sahibs!" he hurriedly whispered. "I have news -for you. Your pistols, quick!" and then he made pretence to strike at -the nearer boy. - -Alec was the quicker to act. He whipped out his revolver, and, -springing towards the yogi, who had recoiled, placed the muzzle against -his head. The group of Hindus howled with rage. - -"Come along, you rebel dog!" Alec shouted in Urdu. "Well see how you -like being shot out of a cannon." - -"That's right," whispered the yogi encouragingly, and aloud he shrieked -appeals to his gods to destroy the Englishmen. Ted had now hold of one -of the strange fellow's arms, and together they dragged him along, he -making pretence to resist. - -"What do you want?" Alec whispered. - -"I am loyal, but I am suspected, and there are spies perhaps watching -even now. If I had come to the English camp with the news, or even -spoken to you in a friendly manner, I might have lost my life. Three -times have I performed _puja_ here in the hope of a chance of speaking -to an English officer unsuspected. My news is that Dundu Pant of Bithur -is at Pindijang. Now let me wrest myself free, and you must chase me." - -"How can we know that your news is true?" asked Ted dubiously. - -"Ask Lawson Sahib if he will believe Pancham Tewari. He will know." - -An adroit twist and wrench and the yogi was free and running down the -road. Ted fired--and missed--and Alec followed suit, both taking care -not to hit the man. The onlookers howled with delight at the supposed -discomfiture of the Feringhis, and the yogi turned and cursed them -afresh, and the boys judged it best to retire when they saw the mob pick -up stones and advance to protect the holy man. - -"We'd better clear away," said Alec. "I know Major Lawson; he'll tell -whether the man is genuine." - -"Hope his news is true. It'll be a feather in our caps if we help to -catch the Nana. Where is Pindijang?" - -"No idea. It's rather a fishy business altogether, and I'm afraid it's a -trap." - -"I shouldn't be surprised," Ted replied. "I hope not, though, for it may -be a great score for us if we help to catch the ruffian." - -They lost no time in reaching camp, and Alec led the way to Major -Lawson's quarters, where they told the story of the encounter with the -mysterious yogi, and how they had been referred to him for a character. - -"Pancham Tewari is to be trusted," said the major. "He's an old friend -of mine, and he loves the Nana Sahib about as much as we do, for the -scoundrel has dispossessed the Tewari family of their lands by fraud -some time ago, and Pancham would do anything to get even with him. I'll -see this matter through. Not a word to a soul, mind." - -They kept their own counsel, and had heard no more about the matter when -they turned in for the night. But Ted Russell felt sure that something -was in the air, and could hardly sleep for excitement. He dreamt that he -was engaged in hand-to-hand conflict with a yogi, who quite casually -changed to the infamous Rajah of Bithur, and, emerging from the bed of -the Ganges, chased him for many miles, finally tripping him up; -whereupon Ted caught him by the throat, and the murderer began to groan. -He awoke and listened. Surely someone was groaning close at hand! Alec -had of late been sharing his tent, and he stretched out his hand and -groped for his chum. - -"What's wrong?" came a growl. - -"Listen!" - -"It is only the silly camels warbling. Go to sleep." - -"So it is. You can whiff 'em, too! We get too much camel here. I wish -the wind 'ud change." - -The camel, that useful but detested animal, grunts and grumbles all -night long, and the soldier blesses him in picturesque language. The -fact that, moreover, "'e smells most awful vile" does not tend to -increase his popularity. - -"I wish you wouldn't spoil my beauty-sleep whenever you have a -nightmare," Paterson sleepily grumbled, as he rolled over and became -blissfully unconscious. - -But Ted was restless and could not sleep. The camels kept up their -serenade until he longed to sally forth with a whip. Presently a -footstep was heard outside and the tent-flaps parted. Ted rose to a -sitting posture and laid hold of his pistol. - -"Who's there?" he demanded. - -"'For Valour'!" came the cool reply. "Why, my V.C. winner, you're as -frightened as a babu! Get up! we're going on a daur." - -It was Claude Boldre. Giving Alec a joyous kick, Ted hurriedly dressed -and went out. The sun had not yet risen, but the camp was fitfully -lighted by the wood-fires, around which half-clad native servants -squatted and shivered. Others were running to and fro, aimlessly to all -appearance, and the horses had begun to neigh. Away to the right he -could make out against the walls of white canvas the dark forms of -Govind Singh and Hira Singh superintending the preparations of their -men. - -"Come along, Ted, and have some breakfast," said Claude, appearing from -behind the tents. "Your horse is being looked after. We start in half an -hour." - -Linking his arm in Ted's he marched him into the colonel's tent, calling -to Paterson to follow. As they entered, Colonel Boldre looked up from -his map, nodded, and motioned towards the breakfast-table. The -coffee-pot was steaming thereon, and the boys did not hesitate. The tent -was not more than a dozen feet square, and there was only one spare -chair. Claude sat on the pallet-bed and Ted on a trunk. - -"Are we going to Pindijang?" asked the latter, "and if so, where is it?" - -"Why!" exclaimed the colonel in surprise, "how did you know?" - -Ted and Alec laughed. - -"This is our daur, colonel. Didn't you know?" - -"Your daur! What on earth do you mean?" - -"We brought the news last night that the Nana was there," Alec replied. -"We had it from a spy." - -Colonel Boldre regarded them with interest. - -"You never told me," said Claude. - -"We were told to keep it quiet," said Ted. - -"Quite right!" observed their commandant. "Pindijang is about nine miles -away, and this is to be a cavalry affair. Our fellows are going, with a -detachment of Hodson's and Probyn's, and a squadron of the 9th Lancers, -and a troop of Horse Artillery." - -"The pater's in command," whispered Claude. - -"I congratulate you, colonel," said Alec promptly. - -In came Major Lawson, and the boys cleared out. The wild-looking men of -Boldre's Horse had broken their fast and were eager for the fray, -chattering in groups, discussing the probable destination, and hazarding -all kinds of wild conjectures. A few moments later without any sound of -bugles, the regiment was in the saddle and trotting away to the -north-west. - -Paterson sorrowfully watched them depart, for he had not obtained -permission to accompany the force. - -"Where are the others?" Ted enquired of Claude. - -"Don't know.... Who are these?--oh! the Flamingoes, and there are the -Probyn ruffians. We've done it very quietly." - -A blurred mass appeared presently away to the right. - -"Those will be the Lancers and the guns," Ted hazarded his opinion. -"Yes, there's no mistaking that music. Good old Horse Artillery!" - -With joined forces the little flying column pushed forward at a trot, -the pleasant clatter of hoofs and jingle and rattle of the guns forming -an accompaniment, inspiring with its martial noise. - -A flash of yellow light gleamed far away on the eastern horizon, as the -metal upon one of the tall minarets of Lucknow caught the first rays, -and the sun had risen. There before them lay the fortified village of -Pindijang in the dip hollowed out by the shallow tributary running -south-east to join the Granges. The place was walled, and they could see -the black muzzles of cannon peeping from the embrasures. The -neighbourhood was well wooded, affording good cover for sharp-shooters. - -Colonel Boldre grumbled at his hard luck. Half an hour earlier and he -could have taken the village by surprise. The fault was not his, for the -map showed Pindijang as nine miles from Cawnpore. It had proved not less -than a dozen, and would have to be taken by hard fighting, not by a -_coup_. - -He sent the Lancers with two of the horse-guns away to the right to cut -off retreat in the direction of Lucknow, the Irregular Horse remaining -concealed by a wood until the flanking party should be ready to -co-operate. Ted and Claude stood watching the Englishmen ride off, -admiring the gallant bearing of the splendid Bengal Horse Artillery, a -corps that has given so many famous men to India. The lances of the -cavalry flashed and glittered as the steel points caught the sun, -making, with the picturesque trappings of the Artillery and the -fascination of their guns, one of the bright and beautiful scenes of -war. The other side of the picture was presently to be seen. - -"We're quite on a hill here," said Ted. "I should not have thought the -ground dipped so much. They're out of sight." - -"There will be a stream to cross down there." - -Presently a myriad flashing of tiny points of moving fire, like the -facets of waves dancing in the sun, and the Lancers were seen emerging -from the hollow and trotting up the slight incline. But the guns were -not with them, for the wheels had sunk deep in the mud of the far bank. -A score of the Lancers had remained to help, while the remainder trotted -across the plateau to cut off the retreat. - -Suddenly a bank of smoke obscured the trunks of the trees, and the ranks -of the Lancers seemed to break up, as the crash and rattle of musketry -rang in the ears of the distant onlookers. Then were seen gaps and empty -saddles and maddened horses. The officer in command, himself wounded, -could be seen steadying his men, and, resisting the temptation to charge -in among the trees, he drew them off rapidly and in good order, and -brought them under cover, where they dismounted, and their carbines -began to seek out the hidden pandies. - -Colonel Boldre was visibly agitated. The sepoys had seen their approach -and laid a trap, and, should they be strong enough to overwhelm the -cavalry, the stuck guns would be lost. - -He was about to give the order to support the Lancers, when there was -heard a clang and a clatter and a rattle, and a whirl of dust was seen -rushing up the slope, as though wind-impelled. - -"B. H. A. for ever!" Ted exclaimed. "By George! they are going!" - -The sound of firing so close at hand had put double strength into the -backs of the gunners, and they tugged and pushed, and the plucky horses -also heard the sound, and out of the mud came the guns. Mounting -rapidly, the drivers cracked their whips and urged forward their teams -of six good horses. The dust rose and enveloped them as they bounded -along; then they wheeled, stopped sharply, and unlimbered. - -Colonel Boldre's face relaxed, and he gave no command. The watchers saw -the gunners busy as ants; then came a flash and a roar as a shell -hurtled among the trees, and a second was in the air before the first -had burst. - -With hardly a pause a third and fourth shell exploded among the pandies, -apparently with deadly effect. Their fire slackened, died down; they -wavered, and another shell fell amongst them. Panic-stricken they -streamed away towards the sheltering walls. The Lancers mounted their -horses; the guns scattered another shell or two amid the fugitives, and, -limbering up, rattled after them. - -But the surprise had failed, and there was now little chance of -capturing the arch-traitor. With poignant disappointment Colonel Boldre -saw the troops pouring out of the village through the north-western -gate, the exit farthest from them. He gave the word, and the Irregulars -galloped away to their left front to cut them off. - -Ted's Arab was both fleet and great-hearted, and he and Govind Singh -were soon to the front, half a length in advance of the ragged line. It -was a race, not a charge, and Ted remembered with a smile how he had -once guided "The Padre" to victory. The pace of the runaways was checked -by the river which, bending from the north-east, looped round the -western and southern sides of the village, leaving only the eastern side -open, and _there_ were the British Lancers, now quite near to the -walls. Close behind him Ted could hear the jingle of a gun and the mad -galloping of its team, tearing the big weapon along with jolt and -clatter. Few sights are there to surpass horse artillery galloping into -action, and few sounds more musical; and the noble horses seem inspired -thereby, and enter into the spirit of the movement with a zest as great -as that of the men. - -They were now level with the ghaut, or ford, and a few hundred yards to -the west thereof. The guns unlimbered, and, after sending a couple of -shells after the leading fugitives who had made good their escape, they -opened on the ghaut and got range with the second shot. More than half -the pandies were checked; on the one side were English cavalry and a -couple of those deadly guns, on the other the only way of escape was a -death-trap. Colonel Boldre despatched a body of Probyn's Horse and of -his own men under Claude to ride down to the ghaut and take charge of -the prisoners. The rest continued in the track of the Nana. - -Ted, Govind Singh, and a handful of the better-mounted men had kept on -their way without a pause, and they quickly perceived that they were -overhauling the sepoys, the hindmost of whom presently began to scatter -across the fields and swampy ground, making for the woods and jungle. -And after them went most of the pursuers. - -But Ted and Govind Singh with some of their Jalandar men kept straight -ahead. They had noticed that amongst the runagates who had stuck to the -road were two or three men of consequence, to judge by their costumes -and the caparisons of their steeds. And some instinct told our ensign -that he in the middle of the group, decked out in a conspicuous saffron -shawl, with a glittering turban, was none other than the Nana himself. -Heedless of all other considerations he urged his handful onward, -speeding farther and farther away from the main body, intent only on -slaying or capturing the Mahratta ruffian. - -They were now within a hundred yards of their quarry, and almost up with -the laggards, some of whom broke away into the paddy-fields, while those -who were not quick enough received short shrift from Govind Singh's -compatriots. With hardly a pause the Punjabis again swept forward, their -number reduced by one. As they lessened the distance separating them -from the rear-guard a couple of pandies swiftly swerved aside, off the -track, and fired as the Sikhs, unprepared for the manoeuvre, flew past -in a bunch. The sowar on the right of Govind Singh reeled in his saddle -and then his horse shot to the front, relieved of its burden, and Ted -noticed that a second of his men winced, let his carbine fall, and -clapped a hand to his side. - -"Forward!" shouted the young officer as the men began to pull on the -reins. "Forward! Never mind those two; there's a big reward for him who -catches that saffron fellow in front!" - -With much reluctance the Punjabis allowed the two pandies to continue -their flight unmolested. The chieftain and his body-guard were within -pistol-shot, and Ted fired twice, and unhorsed the sepoy who rode next -to the leader, at whom he had aimed. And suddenly the rebels turned and -with savage yells charged back upon their pursuers. Ted again aimed at -the leader and again missed, and the Nana's men were upon them, three to -one. - -With a yell as savage as theirs Govind Singh rose in his stirrups and -felled his nearest opponent with one mighty blow, and, leaning forward, -buried his tulwar in the shoulder of another. Before he could recover -his blade a lance was thrust into his breast, and he dropped like a log. -Ted saw the fall of his right-hand man, and was near enough to cut down -the striker just as another of the mutineers rode full tilt at him. - -The lance-point grazed his tunic, and he caught the shaft under his -arm-pit, gave the pandy his point, and went forward, straight for the -man with the saffron shawl, who was keeping well in the background. He -cut at the villain's head, but a tulwar interposed, caught his blade, -and snapped it off at the hilt. And at this moment, when the superior -strength and size and courage of the Punjabis were barely enabling them -to hold their own, the two pandies who had escaped had now wheeled round -and charged to the aid of their comrades, taking Ted's two or three -unexpectedly in the rear and deciding the issue. - -A tremor of cold fear ran through our hero's frame as he found himself -armed only with a useless sword-hilt wherewith to defend himself. The -vile Mahratta raised his pistol, and, at a distance of three paces, -fired point blank at the lad's breast. Ted Russell's career would have -ended then and there had not his Arab, at the very moment that the -trigger was pulled, trodden on the edge of a naked blade. The horse -reared, received the bullet in its head, and rolled over dead, almost -crushing its rider. - -One Sikh and one only of the reckless few who had galloped in the wake -of Ted and Govind Singh remained alive, and he was unhorsed and fighting -valiantly on foot. He hacked his way to the rescue of his officer, and -wounded the pandy who, having disarmed Ted, was about to deal a -finishing blow. Then he in his turn was laid low. Ted still had his -revolver; raising himself on his elbow he took aim at the Nana, who -instantly set spurs to his horse, and his two surviving retainers -followed his example. But Ted had the Mahratta rajah covered. Filled -with exultation at the thought that the murderer was at last at his -mercy he pulled the trigger. - -There was no report, and he realized with a heavy heart that the -weapon's chambers were all empty, that the arch-traitor had escaped, and -that he was helpless! - -He rose and looked about him, and a reaction of thankfulness followed -the bitter disappointment as the thought stole upon him that he had -escaped with no injury more serious than a scratch or two. He perceived -that it was lucky that his enemies, as well as he himself, had been -under the impression that the revolver was still loaded. What would have -been his fate had they known the truth? - -He began to search for Govind Singh's body. The veteran risaldar had -ceased to breathe; he had died as he would have wished, fighting against -odds. The boy had come to regard his grim old comrade with an affection -that had been returned by the risaldar. The other Sikhs were also all -dead, so fierce had been the hand-to-hand combat; and of the Nana's -following at least a dozen were slain or were dying. One of the latter, -a youngster barely sixteen, was regarding the Feringhi with eyes in -which hatred and a desire to propitiate struggled mutely for mastery. -Ted divined the meaning of that look and hastened to hand his -water-bottle to the sufferer, who greedily gulped the water down and -regarded his benefactor with gratitude. - -"Tell me," said Ted, "who was he with the saffron shawl?" - -"That was the Rajah of Bithur," replied the wounded lad. - -With a glance of regret towards the good Arab that had served him so -well, Ted mounted Govind Singh's horse, which was standing beside its -dead master, and sped away to rejoin his comrades, some of whom could be -seen in the distance returning from the chase. Colonel Boldre had many -prisoners and several guns to show as the result of the daur, but the -main object of the expedition had escaped. - -"I was afraid you had been killed, Russell," said he. - -"I've lost Govind Singh, the risaldar, and a good many men, sir, and we -just missed the Nana. He unhorsed me, and I should have shot him if I'd -had the sense to reserve a bullet for him." - -"Unhorsed you? Dundu Pant himself?" exclaimed the commandant. - -Ted reported the affair, and Colonel Boldre, uncertain whether to praise -or blame, remained deep in thought. - -"You had a narrow squeak," said he at last. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII - -The Final Scene at Lucknow - - -Lieutenant Boldre lolled back in his camp-chair and smiled a superior -smile, while Ted Russell scratched his head and gazed with puzzled -expression at the carved pieces upon the chess-board. - -It was undoubtedly checkmate, and he asked himself, almost angrily, how -on earth he could have allowed himself to be outmanoeuvred and -surrounded, and his communications cut off, in so absurdly simple a -manner. Now that it was too late to avert defeat, he could clearly see -how his opponent's attack could have been met and repulsed. - -"You've licked me this time," he acknowledged. "I'm playing like an -_oont_ this morning." - -The tent was Claude's, and it was pitched to the rear of the Dilkusha, -or "Yellow Bungalow" as the soldiers called the palace. Ten days had -passed since the raid on Pindijang, and many things had happened in the -meanwhile. - -Having received reinforcements, Sir Colin had once more occupied his old -position a few miles south-east of Lucknow. He meant the final attack -upon that city to be deliberate and scientific, not a wild rush, -entailing perhaps the sacrifice of thousands of lives in the narrow, -winding streets, where Englishmen would be at a disadvantage. There was -plenty of time, therefore, for an occasional game of chess. - -"Have your revenge?" asked Boldre confidently; and Ted replied that he -was willing, when in stalked Paterson. - -"Well, how's the deputy-assistant, extra-honorary, supernumerary -aide-de-camp? Is he acting as postman?" asked Ted, noticing that Alec -had brought letters. - -"The mail has just come in, so I picked yours out to save time. Catch!" - -"Thanks, old man!" said Ted, as he picked up the scattered missives. -"I'll do as much for you some day, if ever _I_ become a great man. -Here's one for you, Boldre, from Simla." - -"That's from the mater, and I owe her one or two already. It's no end of -a fag writing letters. Are yours from home?" - -"One is," Ted replied. "The other is from Aurungpore;" and silence -prevailed for several minutes. - -"Good news from home, Ted, I hope?" said Alec presently. - -"Yes, they're all well. The pater is wishing he was here with us. He's -been particularly interested in my last letters telling of our doings -with the Sirmur Battalion, because he was taken prisoner by the Gurkhas -in the Nepal war of 1815, and made friends with a lot of them. The mater -is wishing I was back at home. Why do women cross their letters so much, -Alec? It's worse than a Chinese puzzle." - -"Nay, Ted, don't ask me. I don't get shoals of letters in feminine -handwriting." - -Ted turned red, laughed, and changed the subject. - -"This reads very funnily now. They write to say how glad they are that -Delhi has fallen, and that Jim and I escaped without harm, and they -suppose that by now the fighting will all be over." - -He opened the second envelope, and Alec winked at Claude, who raised his -eyebrows enquiringly. - -"Surely it ain't?" said he, rising quickly to the joke; and Ted looked -up in feigned bewilderment. - -"Of course it is," Alec answered. "Don't he look rapturous?" - -"And so young!" murmured Claude. - -"Yes; he cut me out too. She preferred the colour of his hair, and -fancied that she detected more signs of a moustache." - -Alec dodged, as Ted most irreverently threw a bishop at his head, and -resumed: - -"A nice little girl too, daughter of one of our officers. Does she send -any message for me, Ted?" - -Our hero was blushing violently. He sprang to his feet suddenly, caught -his chum by the collar, and rolled both him and his seat over the floor -of the tent, smashing the stool and damaging Claude's bed. Then, feeling -better, he resumed his seat, and Alec picked himself up, laughing. - -"It's a bad case, Claude," said he. "What does she say, Ted?" - -"Well, if you want to know, she asks if I still chum with that ass -Paterson, or whether he's been knocked on the head by a praiseworthy -pandy, and a good job too!" - -"That's fiction," commented Alec solemnly. "Go ahead." - -"She says that the weather is sometimes fine, though not so hot as it -will be in June." - -"More fiction. Seems suspicious, Claude, that he should have to -extemporize." - -Claude nodded acquiescence. - -"He's in a bad way, that's plain," said he. And Ted went on unheeding: -"And that Colonel Woodburn is hardly inconvenienced by his wound; that -she herself is very well, and has seen Jim several times lately; and -that everything is quiet along the frontier; and that Jim is continually -wishing that the Guides could have been spared for Lucknow; and that -she's heard of what you did at Agra." - -Here was Alec's turn to blush. - -"Never mind all that," he interrupted hastily. "What we want to know is -what she says about you." - -But Ted winked, and, pocketing the letter, once more assumed an -aggressive demeanour. - -"Pax!" said Alec, retreating. "I'm not going to fight a chap who's in -the habit of exploding gunpowder beneath his opponents. By the way, have -you seen our allies?" - -"Not yet. Shall we pay them a visit? Come along." - -Among the latest reinforcements were Brigadier Franks' column and Jung -Bahadur's army from Nepal. Franks had been operating with great effect -in Eastern Oudh, from the Nepal border, and his men were mostly Gurkhas, -lent by the Nepal Government. They had done excellent service, and had -won one or two quite remarkable victories. Jung Bahadur's force, nearly -ten thousand strong, had just come in, and as the army was aware that -Sir Colin had been waiting for these Gurkhas, it was expected that the -real struggle was about to begin. - -The three lieutenants strolled down to the Gurkha camp to inspect the -new-comers, and Ted thought of that day on the Ridge when Reid's little -Mongolians were indulging in horse-play with their comrades of the -Rifles, and he remembered how one of the Gurkhas had foretold that Jung -Bahadur would bring his troops to assist the British. He little thought -then that he should be present to witness the arrival of the famous -_shikarri_. - -The Nepalese allies did not, in Ted's opinion, look quite so tough or so -soldierly as his friends of the Sirmur Battalion, and their officers -compared unfavourably with Merban Sing and Goria Thapa. There was plenty -of good material, but the average, though taller in stature, seemed less -sturdy and considerably dirtier. These Nepalese were not all the true -Magar and Gurung Gurkhas; there was a mixture of other clans and races, -with a bigger proportion of Hindu blood. These were not quite so ugly as -little "Johnny", and they did not possess the true military swagger and -jolly recklessness. Approaching a group whose faces seemed to bear the -right stamp, he addressed them in Magar-Kura, of which tongue Goria -Thapa had taught him a smattering. - -The Gurkhas were delighted at being spoken to in their own dialect, -understood by so few foreigners, and they responded eagerly. He tried to -explain how he had served with their brethren at Delhi, and it chanced -that when he mentioned the name of his friend Goria Thapa, one of the -new arrivals repeated the name, and it turned out that he knew the -Sirmur officer, and Ted Russell at once became their blood-brother. - -As they conversed, barely half understanding one another, the men round -about sprang up to attention, and Alec Paterson nudged Ted in the ribs -with his elbow. Turning to see what Alec wanted, he perceived Sir Colin, -and by the general's side rode a distinguished-looking, dark-skinned -man, clad gorgeously, and ablaze with diamonds. - -It was the Gurkha prince himself, one of the bravest of the brave, as -Ted had heard, but by no means a merry, good-natured personage, such as -his friends of the Ridge. Jung Bahadur motioned one of the Gurkhas to -his side, and, looking suspiciously at Ted, he whispered to the man, who -informed him in reply how it came about that this English youth had -picked up enough of their language to converse with them. - -Sir Colin beckoned Ted to approach, and asked questions similar to those -being answered by Jung Bahadur's informant. - -"Went all through the siege of Delhi, eh?" said he, when his enquiries -had been satisfied. "And your friend also? Acting as lieutenants of -Boldre's Horse now?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"Were you the fellows who got that information about the Nana a week or -two ago?---- You were, eh? You seem to know the natives well. Wish more -of my officers did. I'll see about---- Well, what does Mr. Jung want -now?" - -The Gurkha prince rode up and addressed Ted in Urdu. - -"You were with my countrymen at Delhi?" said he. "How did they fight?" - -"Like heroes," Ted replied. - -"Ah, that was a fight of giants!" exclaimed the Gurkha with animation. -"Would I had been there! But I heard about it, and the death of -Nikkulseyn." - -The generals rode on, the boys saluted, and Ted said ruefully: - -"I believe he was going to say that he would see about confirming our -appointments when old Jung interrupted." - -"Russell," said Claude solemnly, "I'm going to kidnap that Gurkha chap -some dark night with a few of our Sikhs. Did you notice his diamonds? He -just dazzled. Hullo, who's this?" - -With a group of English officers who had witnessed the incident was a -gentleman wearing an unmilitary frock-coat and Hessian boots, whom Ted -had observed more than once in intimate conversation with the -commander-in-chief. He now greeted the boys, and courteously asked what -had interested the Maharaja so. Ted explained, and the stranger thanked -him, and after a few moments' conversation, in which he drew out the -youngsters to speak of those things which interested them most, he -rejoined his friends. - -"Who's that, Alec?" asked Ted. "He seems a clever chap. Decent too." - -"Don't you know? It's your namesake of the _Times_." - -"What? Dr. Russell?---- Crimea Russell?" - -"That's the man. Sir Colin seems to think a lot of him, and trusts him -absolutely with his plans." - -Next day began the movements on Lucknow. On the morning of March 6th, -Outram, with Hope Grant as second in command, set out to make a flanking -movement and co-operate with Sir Colin from the north bank of the Gumti. -They were to work along the north-east and north of the city with a -strong column, while the main force pushed forward from the east and -south-east, the two armies being in touch and their artillery able to -play upon the same positions from different sides. The rebel defences, -it must be borne in mind, were vast and strong. - -Outram's force marched away to the east, and to those ignorant of its -destination it appeared to be deserting Lucknow. Before reaching the -southward bend of the river the engineers constructed a bridge of -floating barrels, over which the column crossed and proceeded -northwards, and presently wheeled to the west and encamped, having -completed the half of a circle. Alec Paterson was with Outram, Boldre's -Horse with the Southern Army. - -On March 9th a Union Jack floating over the Chaka Palace told that -Outram had captured an important outpost, and that night he almost -completed the circle, and encamped hardly more than a mile due north of -Sir Colin, on the other side of the Gumti. The two armies were soon in -direct communication, and as a consequence the rebels abandoned their -first line of defence. The British loss was slight, but Sir William -Peel, the newly-promoted seaman, had been mortally wounded. - -On the 11th began the first serious fighting for the southern force. Sir -Colin gave Jung Bahadur's army charge of the operations along the -south-eastern line of defence, across the canal, whilst he attacked from -the east, in touch with Outram. The Begum Kothi, a fortified palace -which blocked the way, was stormed with splendid gallantry by -Highlanders and Sikhs, the rebels being driven out after they had lost -many hundreds of their comrades. A number of guns were captured, and -Hodson was slain whilst performing one of his typical feats of valour. - - [Illustration: THE REBEL REELED AGAINST THE WALL _Page 340_] - -Boldre's Horse had little to do, the work lying with the artillery and -infantry until the rebels fled, when the cavalry completed the rout. It -was not safe to pursue too far, and Ted's Punjabis had the order to -retire, when their young officer chanced to notice that in the confusion -a handful of Gurkhas, whose zeal had outrun discretion, were faring -badly at the hands of a number of better-armed pandies. He clapped spurs -to his steed, and called on his men to charge. A Gurkha officer, his -back to a wall, was defending himself gamely against five sepoys with -bayonets. In the nick of time Ted sliced at one who, having reloaded, -was in the act of firing, and his horse bowled over a second, while the -lance of a Dogra sowar disabled a third. - -The long lances of the Punjabis and the force of their charge prevailed, -and, taking the surviving Gurkhas in their midst, they trotted back -amidst a shower of badly-aimed bullets. Ted then perceived that the -Gurkha officer was the man who knew Goria Thapa. His gratitude was -great, but there was little time for speech-making. - -The capture of the Begum Kothi was not only a brilliant, but also a -useful, piece of work, by which they were soon to profit. The way was -almost opened to the Kaiserbagh Palace, now a huge fortification -mounting very powerful cannon, and this was the key to the position. But -before this all-important defence could be carried by storm, it was -first necessary to gain possession of the Imambara Mosque, and the -infantry were held back for a time until Outram's guns from the north -and Lugard's from the east should have made some impression upon the -thick walls of the two stout buildings. - -When the time did come for the infantry to act, a glorious response was -made. General Franks sent forward the 10th Foot to support. For a time -the resistance was fierce and courageous, but the English and Punjabis -would not be denied. Pressing forward sternly, the rear ranks filling -the gaps as the leaders fell, their determination at length cowed the -pandies, and their bayonets cleared the Imambara. Then the way lay open -to the Kaiserbagh, and British hearts beat high. - -Sir Colin had not intended that his brigadier should attempt more than -the Imambara that day, but seeing that the pandies had lost heart, -Franks wisely took upon himself to strike a more decisive blow. While -hotly pursuing the rebels from the Imambara the British troops had -penetrated to a strong position overlooking the Kaiserbagh. It would be -a thousand pities to relinquish this advantage. So Franks pushed forward -reinforcements, and within a few hours the Kaiserbagh was in our hands, -and to all intents Lucknow was gained and a decisive victory had crowned -the British arms. The day had been brilliant and decisive, but marred by -one unfortunate result of the commander-in-chief's over-caution. - -Had Outram been allowed to swoop down from the north upon the broken -rebels their collapse would have been complete; in fact the rebellion in -Oudh would have been smashed. Outram was not only prepared, he was most -anxious to do this. But Sir Colin, hardly realizing how thorough was the -demoralization of the pandies, how real was their dread of the British -bayonet, feared lest Outram's men should suffer heavily in securing the -iron and stone bridges over the Gumti for the passage of his troops. He -therefore gave Outram strict orders not to cross the river until he -could do so without the loss of a single man. Outram could do nothing -but obey and look on while the glorious chance slipped away. - -There was still fighting in the streets of Lucknow, though the mutineers -had lost their hold on the great city. Next in importance to -Nicholson's storming of Delhi, the capture of Lucknow was the most -severe blow the sepoys had received. Though the army would be employed -for months sweeping the sepoys into the Terai jungle across the Nepal -border, where Nana Sahib was finally lost, and though Sir Hugh Rose -should chase the Nana's slim general, Tantia Topi, from pillar to post -throughout the spring and summer of 1858 as Kitchener's generals chased -De Wet, everyone understood that all danger to the British raj was over -through this day's work. - -Ted Russell was on foot in the streets of Lucknow with two or three -Sikhs as Claude Boldre swept past with threescore troopers behind him. - -"Horses been shot?" he called out in passing; and Ted nodded that it was -so. Any attempt to pursue on foot would be useless, so they were turning -back towards the Kaiserbagh, where the soldiers, Englishmen, -Highlanders, Irishmen, Punjabis, and Jung Bahadur's Gurkhas, were busy -looting the treasures of the palace. There were no pandies in sight, and -Ted's dismounted sowars left their officer and ran off to share in the -plunder. - -The solitary Englishman was not unobserved, though there seemed to be no -enemy at hand; in fact this particular street was deserted, except for a -group or two of Englishmen and Irregulars several hundred yards away in -the direction of the Kaiserbagh, and Ted's sowars, now half-way between -these groups and their officers. - -So the young Feringhi seemed an easy prey to the three concealed pandies -who were furtively watching him from behind the curtains. A gleam of -hateful satisfaction lit up their dark faces as they noiselessly slipped -out of the house. Too late to draw his pistol, Ted heard the stealthy -tread, but he had kept his sword drawn, and, turning quickly, he raised -his blade to guard his head and ward off the blow that instinct told him -was being aimed thereat. The tulwar, instead of cleaving his skull, -glanced off the sword, and with diminished force bit into his shoulder. -He sank with a moan of pain, and the traitor raised his weapon for a -deadlier stroke. - -But before the blow could be repeated a pistol rang out, and the rebel -reeled against the wall, then sank to his knees and tried to crawl away. -His companions, who had been a few yards to the rear of their comrade, -hesitated, trying to make up their minds whether to run at once or first -to despatch the wounded enemy. An Englishman in volunteer uniform and -one of Ted's Sikhs, who had turned back, threw themselves upon the -pandies, who hesitated no longer but fled like hares. Before a dozen -steps had been taken in pursuit, one of the pandies turned, and, still -running, fired. The Englishman staggered, spun round and dropped dead, -and, as he fell, Ted saw his face, and knew that Tynan had wiped out the -blot upon his honour. Then the ensign fainted away. - -The Sikh brought back his comrades, and they carried their officer to -the nearest surgeon, who was fortunately able to take the case in hand -at once, or the boy would have died ere the sun rose upon another day. - -Owing to the ignorance of the Sikhs the gush of blood had not been -staunched, until the doctor, with quick grasp of the situation, did what -was necessary to retain the young life that was fast ebbing away. - -Next day Ted Russell was removed on a doolie to the Dilkusha, and he -took no further part in the fighting that ensued before the Mutiny was -finally extinguished. Recovery was slow, and a couple of months elapsed -before he was able to walk even a short distance without fatigue. But no -permanent injury had been caused by the blow, and by the end of July he -could get about as usual, both on foot and on horseback; and on the day -that he reported himself as fit for duty, he received the intimation -that both he and his chum Paterson had been officially gazetted as -lieutenants in the corps known as Boldre's Irregular Horse. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX - -Jim Disposed Of - - -That dignity had hardly been attained when an interesting ceremony, in -which Ted played but a subordinate part, took place in Simla. Major -Russell and Ethel Woodburn, finding how much they had to talk about, and -how many thrilling experiences must be related, very sensibly came to -the conclusion that their best course would be to marry with as little -delay as possible. - -Colonel Woodburn's natural objections to such haste had first to be -overcome, but having at length become reconciled to the idea of losing -his daughter, he allowed the date to be fixed. Charlie and Ted were sent -for, and at the latter's urgent request, Subadar Goria Tapa was invited -to the wedding. The Sirmur Battalion's head-quarters were then, as now, -situated at no great distance from Simla, so that neither Captain -Dorricot nor the subadar found any difficulty in attending. Captain -Spencer was another guest whom Ted was glad to meet again. Rapidly as he -had returned from Kashmir on hearing the news of the outbreak, he had -been too late to join his regiment and take part in the march to Delhi. -John Lawrence had found employment for him with the Movable Column, and -he had been badly wounded in the fighting that took place while -Nicholson was in command. - -Three days before the wedding date Ted entered Simla and greeted his -brother with a salute. Now that the dull days of exile and inaction had -come to an end he was in the merriest of moods. - -"Come to report myself, sir," said he with a solemn face. - -"Hullo, Lieutenant Russell, V.C.!" was his brother's greeting as Jim -looked up from a table strewn with papers. "Glad you're looking fit -again. I'm blest if I know what you want here, but Ethel would have you. -Nice nuisance you'll be, I know." - -The words of this truly fraternal greeting were belied by the hearty -handgrip. Ted retorted in kind. - -"Well, that's brotherly love if you like," said he. "Wretched man! Here -I've come, my heart swelling with sympathy and pity for you, and this is -your return. I won't be sorry for you any longer, not one bit. Serves -you jolly well right. Hope you forget the ring, and gash yourself whilst -shaving, and that you're late, and that you get stuck in the service, -and that your collar comes undone, and your tie crawls round your neck." - -"Much obliged, I'm sure," replied Jim, laughing at his brother's -boisterous spirits. - -"Bless you, Major Russell, you're very welcome." - -Jim winked with much deliberation, whereupon Ted thumped him between the -ribs and continued his chaff. - -"Cheer up, old man; it'll soon be over, and p'raps you'll recover. -You're not the first fellow to be married, though I suppose you imagine -that there's never been such an important affair upon this poor old -globe before. Cheer up! I've heard of fellows who've survived it." - -"Thanks! I'm fairly cheerful considering, but being with the Lucknow -Army don't seem to have improved your at-no-time very admirable -manners." - -"Never had any. Everybody used to tell me how much I took after my -eldest brother. Seriously, Jim, I wish you'd been with us at Lucknow. -I've had a great time." - -And Jim listened, leaning back with legs crossed and hands clasped -behind his head, while Ted recounted some of the most striking episodes -of the campaign and of his own adventures. - -"You're a decent sort of kid, Ted," the elder brother allowed. "I wish -the Guides had been there. Now I believe you're dying to have a chat -with Ethel, and I know she's as anxious as can be to see you again. So -go and find her, young 'un. I'm horribly busy and can't go with you. I -would if I could, you may be sure." - -"I will go and condole with her. _She_ needs some genuine sympathy and -consolation, and she shall have it. How far is it? Worth taking the -horse out again?" - -"No, not five minutes away." - -Before Ted had proceeded a couple of hundred yards, he beheld the object -of his search riding towards home, her thoughts uplifted far above the -humble wayfarer whom she was about to pass without recognition. - -"Evening, Miss Woodburn!" said Ted. - -Ethel gave a start and reined in her horse. - -"Why, Ted, I didn't know you'd arrived." - -"Just come. Affectionate brother intimated that, as he had no room for -thinking of anyone but you, I disturbed him." - -"So you were coming to see me? You are looking well, Ted. I half -expected to see a decrepit invalid with crutches and bandages." - -"I'm all right now. Should have come though to see you married if I'd -had to be brought on a doolie." - -He assisted the girl to dismount, and, giving the horse in charge of the -sais, they entered the house. - -"I am glad you look so well," repeated Miss Woodburn. "Paterson kept us -posted up as to your state so long as he remained at Lucknow. We had an -anxious time for a week or two." - -"You heard about Tynan, I suppose? He proved a brick in the end, did he -not?" - -"Yes, I was glad when I read Alec's account of how he died. That is--you -know what I mean?" - -Ted nodded. - -"Had you not seen him since that night at Lahore?" Ethel continued. - -"Never once until that moment. I've not been able to find out anything -about him either. He must have enrolled in the Volunteers, under an -assumed name, of course." - -Colonel Woodburn, looking his old self again, was genuinely pleased to -welcome the boy. For half an hour he drew him out on the subject of the -Lucknow campaign, and then Ethel claimed her brother-in-law again. - -"Come and see my presents, Ted," she ordered. - -"With pleasure--oh, by the way, I've brought my little contribution. -Hope you'll like it." - -She gave a little scream of delight as he handed her an open box. - -"Oh, how beautiful! How lovely! Ted, you shouldn't have given me -anything like this. It's much too good." - -"It's not half good enough." - -"Look at this necklet, father! Is it not exquisite?" - -Colonel Woodburn examined the present, and gave a whistle of amazement. - -"Ted, my boy, wherever did you get this?" he asked. "It's worth hundreds -or I'm no judge. Diamonds and rubies of this size! And what -workmanship!" - -"It's from Lucknow, colonel. Loot, I'm afraid." - -"Loot?" The colonel looked more serious, as he asked the question. - -"I'm not certain--only circumstantial evidence. You see, there was a lot -of looting when we entered Lucknow, and the Sikhs and Jung Bahadur's -Gurkhas got nearly everything. Jung's men took several thousand carts -filled with loot back to Nepal. A day or two before I was wounded I -happened to save the life of one of Jung's Gurkhas who was being set -upon by a crowd. He seemed to be an officer of good standing, and he was -very grateful, and when I spoke to him in Magar-Kura, he was just -delighted. When I was well enough I found that this parcel had been -handed to me, and this necklace was inside, and not a word of -explanation. So I guess they came from him, but couldn't make sure as -he'd gone. It was probably one of many things he'd picked up in the -palace, but I don't know that for certain. They were allowed to loot for -a little while to repay their services, so it's come by perfectly -honestly, Ethel. I offered it to the general of our column for him to -send to the common stock, but he sent back word that it was mine, right -enough. So it's quite right, isn't it, Colonel Woodburn? Mayn't she -accept it with a clear conscience?" - -"Certainly, except that it's much too costly a present to accept, Ted." - -"It is indeed, old boy. I'm very, very grateful, and it's very generous -of you, but you must keep it. You'd be sorry in a year or two, and you'd -blame me for taking it." - -Ted began to grow angry. "If you won't take it, Ethel," he sullenly -declared, "I'll throw it on the fire. I mean it." - -"But, Ted, you'll be married some day, and think how you would like your -wife to have this--and she _ought_ to have it. Then you would think it -mean of me to have taken it." - -He laughed scornfully. - -"Marry? Me? I'm not going to get married! I don't want anyone to have it -but you; I meant it for you as soon as I saw it." - -A way of escape occurred to the girl. - -"Let us strike a bargain, old boy. If I accept it now, will you allow me -to present it to your wife on the day you get married?" - -Again Ted laughed, this time with light heart. - -"I agree to that--it amounts to the same thing." - -"Do you approve of the arrangement, father?" - -"Trust a woman to find some way out," said the colonel. "I think the -arrangement a good one. Honour satisfied on both sides." - -"Now, Ted, I can thank you properly--especially for your thought on -first seeing the necklet. But come and see the rest of the 'loot', as -your unprincipled and shameless brother calls it." - -"He calls it that, does he? Good judge, Jim." - -"Yes, his first daily enquiry is, 'Any more loot to-day?' After being -satisfied on that point he condescends to enquire after me." - -"I shouldn't have thought he was ever 'satisfied on that point'." - -Ethel Woodburn laughed merrily. - -"Quite true, he's not. He invariably grunts, 'Is that all to-day?' and -tells me that I ought to have laid myself out to be particularly nice to -everyone for the past fortnight." - -"Greedy brute, isn't he? But I say, Ethel, isn't he content with these? -I call it a jolly good show considering that the presents from England -haven't come yet. I s'pose it's just Jim's peculiar way of expressing -his gratitude." - -"Have you shown him the necklet?" - -"No fear; he'd have collared it and stuck to it, and pawned it before -you could see it. He wouldn't have had your scruples." - -"I'm afraid that you have a very poor opinion of my husband -that-is-to-be, Lieutenant Russell." - -Ted laughed, and most rudely winked. - -"About as bad as your own, I guess, Mrs. Major Russell." - -Ted walked round from table to table reading the cards and asking who -was who. - -"Sir Arthur Fletcher," he read out, halting before one of the presents. -"That's jolly nice of him!" - -"I see Charlie Dorricot's sent nothing yet?" he added. "He's due -to-night, isn't he?" - -"Yes, I expect to make his acquaintance shortly." - -"Ripping good chap, Charlie! You'll like him. - -"He's very anxious to inspect you," the young subaltern continued. "He -did all he could to draw Jim out about you, but it was no go--Jim just -gazed amiably upon him. Then he drew a fancy picture of you." - -"Who did? Jim?" - -"Don't jeer! You know who I mean. He also offered bribes to read your -letters--precious small bribes, though! But nothing could make Jim -wrathy when he was reading the epistles of Ethel." - -"You helped him, I suppose?" - -"Helped Jim--to read them? Who's mixed with the personal pronouns now?" - -"From your account of your cousin," Ethel observed, disdaining to answer -the gibes, "I think it very doubtful that I shall like him. He appears -to have been--well--impertinent." - -"Regular impudent beggar he is! I knew you'd think so; that's why I told -you. Never mind, Ethel, you may be sure of this, that he'll like you. -Besides, I stuck up for you, as Jim wouldn't." - -"I am indeed grateful, Lieutenant Russell." - -"You do look nice when you laugh, Ethel. Ah! here they are, I can hear -Charlie's voice." - -They went down to greet the new-comers. - -"I seem to know you quite well already, Captain Dorricot," Ethel -remarked as they were introduced. - -"I'm afraid I can hardly say that I know you at all," Charlie replied, -"as Jim would never venture on a description, however greatly I -encouraged him, feeling, no doubt, his inability to do the subject -justice." - -"That's really rather nice, you know," Ted commented, with a grave air -of abstraction; and the girl blushed becomingly. - -An awkward pause ensued. Then four people spoke together. Three stopped -respectfully. - -"Can you guess, Jim, what Ted has given us for a present?" - -"That's a hint for you, Charlie. Open your packages at once. I am about -to marry a most sordid little woman, whose absorbing thought is: -'Presents, and how to obtain them'." - -"Sir, you speak that which is not true. Look at this!" - -"Whew! You've been looting, young man. Where?" - -"Not at all--present--Lucknow--Gurkhas. By the way, Charlie, did you -know that young Roberts, your school-fellow, won the V.C.? Won it twice -over, in fact--I saw him." - -"Well done, D.A.Q.M.G.! That young man will make his mark in the world. -He's a man that understands men--and things." - -Ethel then related Ted's story of the jewels and the bargain made, and -Charlie presented his gifts, a pair of paintings brought back with him -from England two months before. To everyone's surprise he next dragged -out a pair of silver-mounted kukris, Goria Thapa's present to Major -Russell, in memory of their father's friendship. - -Charlie and Ted returned to Jim's quarters, leaving the lovers half an -hour of solitude. - -"My stars, Ted, that's a pretty girl!" observed the former. - -"Isn't she stunning? She's no end fun either, though she looks so -demure." - -"Jim has displayed unusual discrimination, I must say." - - * * * * * - -The day, by custom termed "auspicious"--though why the bridegroom cannot -tell--came round at last. Major Russell appeared as joyous as could -reasonably be expected--and no more. Whilst awaiting the bride's -appearance Captain Dorricot, as best man, apparently considered his a -most gladsome task. Why does "a best man" consider it necessary to be -ribald? - -"Major Russell," he whispered, "are you or are you not going to hold -yourself straight? Think of me! You're disgracing me before all these -people. Don't look so cheap, man; you'll get used to it! - -"Now remember my advice and start from to-day as master; let her see -that you won't be trodden upon." - -"Oh, don't be an idiot!" - -"Bless us, he thinks, poor fellow, that it'll be rather nice to be -trodden upon by her! Quick! She's coming! Take your eyes from the roof -and try to look as though you'd been here before and could do it on your -head." - -Good as the advice was it passed unheeded, for all eyes were now turned -towards the church porch as Ethel Woodburn entered--charmingly sweet, -and shyly happy. - -The ceremony over, our friend Ted forgot his new-born dignity and became -a boy again, and a perfectly irrepressible one, until Jim and his -dainty wife had driven away in the direction of the everlasting hills. - -Then came the reaction of depression that must inevitably attend the -happiest and best-suited marriages. - -"Poor old colonel seems cut-up!" said Charlie, as he and Spencer and Ted -lounged in the veranda some hours later gazing at the spangled velvet of -the sky. - -"No wonder," mused Spencer. "He's left alone now, poor fellow! It's -hardly a joyful occasion for him. Have a cheroot, Russell?" - -"No, thanks!" Ted replied. - -"Teddy's a good boy," Dorricot laughed. - -"He's quite right," said Spencer. "Nothing to be ashamed of in knowing -that one is not old enough to have stopped growing." - -"She's a pretty girl!" Dorricot observed thoughtfully after a pause. -"Hope I may do as well as Jim when my time comes." - - * * * * * - -Ted Russell's adventures as a boy were over. Readers interested in his -subsequent career, if any such there be, may care to know that shortly -after his return to India after serving under Sir Hope Grant in China, -he obtained twelve-months' home leave. While in England the necklet, -curiously enough, did again change hands, and Captain Edward Russell was -by no means so greatly astounded by the circumstance as, to judge from -former declarations, he ought to have been. - -Throughout the Second Afghan War he commanded one of the regiments of -Roberts' army, and Colonel Paterson distinguished himself during the -same campaign at Ahmed Khel, his regiment being with Sir Donald Stewart. -The old friends met at Kabul, and Ted took part in the famous march to -Kandahar, whilst Paterson proceeded with his general to the Kyber, and -thence to Peshawur. - -A few years later Colonel Russell was in command of a brigade in one of -the North-west Frontier expeditions, and he finally retired from the -army with a hammered slug in his right leg, as Major-general Russell. - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Disputed V.C., by Frederick P. 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