"Hurrah, sir! I see a body of sepoys with some English redcoats among
them coming this way. We need no longer have any fear of the rebels."
"Are you certain that there are English soldiers among them? For if
not, the men you take for sepoys may be the rebels themselves," observed
Reginald. "It may be safer for you, my sister, to take shelter in the
tower till we ascertain the truth; and we shall be able to defend you,
as only one man at a time can force his way up."
Scarcely had Nuna ascended a few steps when half a company of sepoys,
with a corporal and five English soldiers, and led by a British officer,
appeared in front of the building.
Reginald shouted out to them that he was an Englishman, and that having
rescued the rajah's daughter from a band of rebels, he was returning
with her to her father.
"I don't believe you," answered the officer. "On, my lads, and capture
the young fellow! From the information I have received, he is himself a
rebel."
A second glance at the speaker showed Reginald that it was his
acquaintance, Captain Hawkesford; but in another instant the gates were
burst open, and the soldiers, rushing in, captured Dick, who was making
his way to the foot of the steps on which Reginald stood with Nuna
behind him, while Faithful crouched by his side glaring at the
assailants.
"Back, I say--back; you are mistaken, my men," cried Reginald, drawing
his revolvers. "Your lives be on your own heads, if you advance.--Fly
up the steps, Nuna. Fly under shelter: in case they should dare to
fire, the bullets may strike you."
Still the English soldiers advanced,--though the sepoys hung back,
afraid of facing the tigress, and awed by Reginald's daring attitude.
Unhappily the corporal, a brave fellow, believing that it was his duty
to seize the supposed rebel, rushed forward, and began to mount the
steps, presenting the point of his bayonet at Faithful; on which, no
longer able to restrain herself, she sprang at his throat and gave him a
death-gripe, hurling him down backwards a lifeless corpse, while his
musket fell from his band.
"Fire!" cried Captain Hawkesford.
"If you do, I must fire in return," shouted Reginald.
As he spoke the bullets rattled thickly around his head; so he
discharged both his pistols, and again urging Nuna to escape, he with a
bound sprang after her, before another musket could be aimed at him;
while Faithful, who had wonderfully escaped, kept the soldiers at bay,
notwithstanding their commander's urgent orders to them to advance.