Harry's arms were at once bound. He was placed on a horse and,
escorted by ten natives, was taken out of the town and, after a
ride of three hours, arrived at the foot of a strong hill fort,
perched on a lofty rock. Here the party dismounted. Halfway up the
hill they passed through a gate in the lower wall; and then mounted
to the fort, where the officer in command received them and, on
reading an order from the rajah, conducted the prisoner into a room
at the summit of the highest tower. His arms were then unbound, and
the governor and soldiers left the room, locking and barring the
door behind them.
On the way, Harry had thought over his position. It did not seem to
him desperate, if only Holkar failed to capture Delhi; and even if
he did so, there was still some hope. He had no doubt that the
rajah was waiting to see how matters went. If Holkar captured the
city, he would probably send him in to him as a pledge of his
goodwill; but he might still hesitate, until he saw the issue of
the battle that was likely to be fought outside the walls, when the
English army arrived there. He had hitherto affected friendship
with the English; and had offered no objection, whatever, to the
small force being stationed near his town. But, doubtless, the news
of the disaster to Colonel Monson's force had shaken him; and
convinced him that the English were not invincible, and that
Holkar's immense army would inflict a decisive defeat upon them, in
which case those who had shown any friendly feeling towards the
English would be made to suffer for it--by devastation of their
lands, and the loss of their jagheer, if not of their lives. Harry
felt, therefore, that the success of the attack on Delhi would
probably be as disastrous, to himself, as to all the defenders of
the city.
His first impulse was to look out from the loopholes of the tower.
On the one side, as he had noticed, the rock fell sheer away from
the foot of the wall, to a depth of two or three hundred feet. On
the other side he looked down into a courtyard, sixty feet below
him. This was surrounded by high and very strong walls, bristling
with cannon; and with strong circular bastions at each corner.
Immediately below him was the flat roof of the house occupied by
the rajah, when staying at the fort; and round the yard were low
buildings, doubtless containing provisions and munitions of war;
and some of them allotted to the picked corps who did duty there,
the huts for the rest of the garrison being lower down the hill,
near the second wall.
In one corner of the room was a door. On trying it, he found it to
be unfastened and, opening it, he walked out. There was a flight of
narrow stone steps, in what was evidently a projecting turret.
Ascending these, he found himself on a flat roof, on the top of the
tower. He spent half an hour here, examining carefully the features
of the ground and the defences of the fort. The place, though
strong, did not approach, in this respect, many of the hill forts
that he had seen in the Deccan; and he concluded that a British
force of moderate strength could easily effect its capture though,
if stoutly held, it could defy native attack.
He then returned to the room below. Half an hour later, some armed
natives entered. One of them carried a large bundle of straw, which
he threw down in one corner; another bore a dish of rice, and a
third a skin of water. They had evidently been told not to address
him for, as soon as they had placed their burdens on the ground,
they retired without any remark.
"This is bad," Harry said to himself, when they had left. "I would
just as lief sleep on straw as on a bed but, if I had had some
blankets, I might have made myself a rope; though I don't think it
would have reached the roof of the house below, much less to the
courtyard, so that idea must be given up. I have heard of fellows
working their way through the floors of their cells; but they have
taken away my knife, and there is not a scrap of furniture from
which I could get some iron to manufacture a tool. There is no
concealing a knife, when they bring my food; for it is sure to be
as it is today--rice, or some other grain, boiled, and not even a
spoon to eat it with.
"The door seems the only possible way though, at present, I cannot
see where the possibility comes in. It is of solid wood, and strong
enough to cage a tiger. Still, if I am to get out, I fancy that it
must be through the door."
A closer examination of it did not increase his hopes. Even when he
pushed his hardest against it, it did not yield in the slightest
degree. He sat down on the straw, and turned over every possible
idea in his mind. No scheme of getting out of the difficulty
presented itself.
"The only chance that I can see is that, instead of four fellows
coming up with the man who brings my food, there may be only two.
Taking them by surprise, and snatching a weapon from them, I might
manage three of them; but I could not even hope to silence five,
before they gave the alarm.
"I hope that Abdool got away safely. I think that if he did, he was
likely, when he had once shaken off pursuit, to come back and try
to find out what had become of me. His face could not have been
particularly noticed, for I expect the troopers were attacked as
soon as I entered that scoundrel's house; and if he took off his
uniform, and went in in native dress, there would be little chance
of his being recognized. When he finds out where I have been taken,
he will no doubt go back to Delhi, and report; but with Holkar
within two miles, they have too much on their hands to think of
sending to demand my release. If Holkar fails to take the place,
and retires as Lake approaches, there will no doubt be a hot
pursuit; and certainly they could not send two or three hundred men
here. Less than that would be of no good, whatever. The rajah has
committed himself, by the murder of my troopers and, as he cannot
hope for forgiveness, he would either fly to Oude, or else move in
here with his force, with which he would think himself safe from
anything short of an army.
"It is certain that, with such important work on hand, no men can
be spared for a rescue expedition. No, there is not a shadow of
chance, unless Holkar is defeated."
Having settled this matter in his mind, and decided that no amount
of thinking would enable him to see a way of escaping; Harry
dismissed the subject from his thoughts, ate his rice, and lay down
as soon as it became dark, having had but little rest for the past
week.
Two days passed. As he was sitting on the platform over his cell,
he heard a distant boom, and knew that Holkar was besieging Delhi.
The next day, to his satisfaction, the sound of cannonading was
again distinct.
"At any rate," he said to himself, "Holkar has not carried the
place by a sudden rush. There is a regularity about the fire that
shows that it is deliberate. No doubt they are breaching one of the
walls."
Going to the other side of the platform, he saw that a good many of
the rajah's followers were standing on the wall, listening to the
firing. The wall itself was some thirty-five feet below the spot
where he was standing; neither loophole of his cell commanded a
view of it, so that a prisoner could hold no conversation with the
guard below.
Presently another man came up on to the walls, and approached the
group there. He was, like the others, dressed in a small white
turban, a short jacket made of unbleached hemp; underneath which
was a loose tunic, bound at the waist with a sash, and coming down
to the knees. He carried a spear and matchlock, and across his
shoulder a small shield was slung. The others did not turn round
and, when a few yards from them, he looked up at Harry; and the
latter saw, to his delight, that he was Abdool.
Harry dared not make any gesture that might be noticed; but he
nodded his head slightly, and walked to the other side of the
platform, where he remained for a short time, and then returned.
Abdool looked again in his direction; but continued to talk with
the others as to the attack upon the town, and agreed with them
that Holkar would make short work of its defenders.
Presently the whole party descended to the courtyard, together.
Some of them went down to the lower wall, to talk to their comrades
there; but whether Abdool accompanied them, or was still in the
fort, Harry could not make out. He did not, indeed, remain long on
the platform but, after looking towards Delhi for some little time,
he went down to his room.
It was evident that Abdool had enlisted in the rajah's service; and
had, no doubt, been engaged by the governor of the fort. The rajah
would be uneasy in his mind, and would assuredly take on any men
that presented themselves; in order to strengthen himself, if
Holkar failed to take the town; and also to gain the latter's
approbation, by joining him with as large a force as possible.
Probably Abdool had only enlisted on the previous day; and would,
of course, need time to acquaint himself with the fortifications,
the position of the guards, and the manner in which he could best
communicate with him.
Harry's meals were brought up twice a day, at seven o'clock in the
morning and at nightfall. Hitherto he had been quiet and patient,
as there was nothing to be done but to await the course of events.
Now that he knew Abdool was there, and would certainly endeavour to
open communications with him, it was difficult for him to keep
quiet; and he passed hours in pacing round and round his room.
Occasionally he went up to the roof, but he could see no signs of
Abdool; and therefore remained but a short time on the lookout as,
were he to keep on watching the courtyard, it might attract notice,
and the idea might occur to someone that he was expecting some
signal to be made to him.
Three days passed without a sign; and then, when the guard came in
with his ration, Harry saw that Abdool was one of the number. As he
glanced at him, Abdool, who was standing a little way behind the
others, shook his head, and retired with them. Harry felt a
momentary disappointment; but saw at once that nothing could be
attempted in broad daylight; and that it was at night, only, that
there was a possibility of success. He thought that Abdool had only
come up in order to see the nature of the fastenings of the doors,
and the general position.
He was not with the party who came up in the evening but, in the
centre of his rice, Harry found a small piece of paper rolled into
a ball. There was not, however, light enough to enable him to read
it; but he lay awake half the night and, at the first gleam of
daylight, went up on to the platform and, seating himself so that
he was not visible from below, waited till he could see to read the
letter. It was, of course, in Mahratti; and so badly written that
he had difficulty in deciphering it. He finally, however, made it
out.
"Tomorrow evening, when I come up, we will attack the others, if
all goes well; if not, will try the next evening."
So intent was he, in deciphering the writing, that he had hardly
noticed the outburst of heavy firing in the distance. He had feared
the enemy had captured Delhi on the previous day, as he had heard
no firing; but now the roar of cannon was very heavy, and he had no
doubt that Holkar was trying to take the town by assault.
In less than half an hour the sound ceased, suddenly.
"They have either taken the town, or been beaten off decisively,"
he said to himself.
In the afternoon he saw a party of horsemen approaching, followed
by some palanquins.
"That looks hopeful," he said to himself. "A messenger has probably
brought the rajah news that the assault has failed, and he is
bringing his zenana here for safety, until he hears the issue of
the battle, which will probably take place in a day or two. I
wonder whether this will upset Abdool's plans!"
The rajah's return was greeted by the discharge of matchlocks.
Presently, however, this was succeeded by cries of rage and a
clamour of voices.
"Holkar has been thrashed. Now it is a toss up whether the rajah
will, in his anger, send up and have me brought down and executed.
I think the chances are in my favour. The fellow is evidently
crafty, or he would not have persuaded Ochterlony that he was
friendly towards us; and I think he will hold me as a sort of
hostage so that, if Holkar is defeated, he may make favourable
terms for himself by offering to surrender me."
It was not until an hour later that Harry heard a party ascending
the stairs. When the door opened, he saw that two of the men
carried torches. Abdool, who was in the rear, closed the door
behind him, and then said, "Now sahib!" and struck down the man in
front of him with his tulwar.
Harry had risen to his feet, as he heard the men coming; and had
braced himself up for a spring, when Abdool gave the word. With a
blow straight from the shoulder, he struck the man carrying the
dish senseless to the floor; tore the sword from his sash; warded
off a hasty blow delivered by one torch bearer, who was too much
astonished at the sudden attack to act with decision, and cut him
down; while, at the same moment, Abdool almost severed the neck of
the other.
"Thanks, Abdool," Harry said, grasping his follower's hand, "you
have saved my life!"
"Not yet, sahib. Our work has but begun. There are other dangers to
be met. However, the arrival of the rajah has been fortunate. The
news he has brought has--but first, let me finish the man you
knocked down."
"There is no occasion for that. Tear his sash into strips, and bind
his hands and feet; and gag him with his own turban.
"Now, what is our next step?"
"I have a rope round my body, sahib, to lower ourselves on to the
ramparts. I am wearing an extra suit of clothes, so that you can
get up as one of the garrison. I think we have plenty of time, for
it is not likely that these men will be missed. Everyone is too
excited by the news, that Holkar has failed to take Delhi, to
notice whether we return or not."
He took off the outer garment that he had brought with him, while
Harry removed his uniform and attired himself in it and, placing
the turban of one of the soldiers on his head, possessed himself of
a shield, spear, and dagger, and then said:
"What next, Abdool?"
"We will put out these torches, sahib,"--these were still burning
on the floor--"the light might be noticed from below, and they
might wonder why we stayed here so long."
"Are there any guards on the walls?"
"No, sahib; they have them on the lower wall, but not here."
The torches were extinguished, and then they went up to the
platform above. They fastened one end of the rope to the
battlement, having first tied knots at short intervals.
"I will go down first on to the wall, sahib; and if by chance any
man may have come up from below, which is not likely, I can hide,"
and he at once commenced to lower himself down.
In two or three minutes, Abdool was joined by Harry. The courtyard
was dark, save that a few torches burned here and there. A great
babble of talking was going on, and the windows of the rajah's
house were lighted up.
"What are your plans, Abdool? I see that we shall be able to get
through the gates, here, without fear of discovery. Is the gate
through the other wall shut?"
"Yes, sahib, it is always closed at sunset. Except where the road
comes up to the gate, there is only one place where the rock
projects at the foot of the wall, and there is a possibility of
climbing down. That was where I had intended we should cross the
wall. The height is but twenty feet, there, and I have another rope
of that length. There are no sentries placed, except over the gate.
"It is quite possible that, even there, there is none tonight.
There is no order among these fellows, as there is among the
Company's troops and, as there is no enemy near, they think that
such a watch is unnecessary; and if any have been sent there, they
are pretty sure to have gone to the huts, to talk over the news
from Delhi. The matter should be easy enough.
"We may as well start at once. These fellows will quieten down
presently, and will then be more likely to hear any noise we may
make."
Looking about, they went down by the stairs leading to the
courtyard and walked carelessly across. Taking care to avoid
mingling with the excited groups and, at the same time, keeping as
far from the torches burning in the courtyard as possible, they
passed through the gate--which was standing open without a
guard--and followed the zigzag road, with towers placed at its
corners, each mounting two guns so as to sweep the approach.
There were two high walls on either hand, loopholed for musketry;
and Abdool said that there was a platform, wide enough for two men
to pass, along the whole length of it. The road terminated in a
heavy gate, some forty yards above that through the outer wall. A
bastion covered it so that, were the lower gate carried, an enemy
would not be able to bring guns to bear against it. This gate stood
open and, passing through it and behind the bastion, they came at
once upon the low, stone-built huts where the majority of the
garrison lived, in time of peace.
Several torches were burning here, and round each of these were
groups of men, talking excitedly. Leaving Harry behind one of the
huts, Abdool strolled up for a few minutes, to listen to the
conversation, and then rejoined his master.
"What are they saying, Abdool?"
"They are saying, sir, that it was wrong of Holkar to attack the
city, before he had defeated the English. It has cost many lives.
But when the English are defeated he will be able, without doubt,
to capture the city; which probably would open its gates to him,
seeing that no assistance could come to them."
"No one doubts, then, that Holkar will defeat us?"
"Not in the least," Abdool replied. "They say that he has two
hundred cannon. These will mow down the English. Then the cavalry
will charge, and there will be an end of the matter."
"They seem to have forgotten all about Laswaree," Harry said. "But
we had better be going. Where is the way up to the wall?"
"Close by, sahib."
They ascended the steps. As far as could be seen the wall was
entirely deserted, and they made their way cautiously until close
to the gate. Harry then stopped, and Abdool went on with noiseless
tread. He soon returned.
"It is as I thought: no sentries are yet posted."
"But that tower over the gate, Abdool, is a great deal too high for
us to descend by that rope that you have got."
"Yes, sahib. We go out by an entrance on to a bastion, flanking the
gate. The rope will be long enough there or, at any rate, there
will be but a very short drop."
They entered the tower through the door communicating with the
wall. Abdool led the way.
"Keep close to me, sahib. I went down here this morning, and can
find my way in the dark. I did not think that there was much chance
of our coming this way, but it was better to find out all about
it."
Moving slowly and cautiously, they came to a flight of steps. They
descended some twenty feet, and found themselves at an open portal,
leading on to the flanking bastion. The rope was soon fixed.
"I will go first, sahib, and will let you know how far you will
have to drop; for the wall looks, to me, higher than it was at the
point where I intended to descend."
[Illustration: Abdool at once slipped down.]
It was tied round the neck of a gun, and Abdool at once slipped
down. There was a pause, then a slight dull sound, and the rope
hung loose.
"The knot at the end is ten feet from the ground," Abdool said, in
a low tone.
"That is near enough," Harry replied, and then he swung himself
over.
When he came to the last knot, he lowered himself to the full
length of his arms and let go. The fall was not much more than a
yard; and Abdool stood close by, ready to catch him, should he miss
his foothold on alighting.
They at once started, at a rapid pace, down the hill. They had
nearly reached the plain when the deep note of a horn was heard.
"That is the alarm!" Harry exclaimed. "They have found out that I
have gone."
"They will soon be after us, but there is no fear of their catching
us," Abdool said, as they broke into a trot. "No one will know, at
first, what has happened. Everyone will run to his post; then they
will have to search the fort, and all the ground between it and the
lower wall. All that will take time. It may be an hour before
horsemen start.
"I did not think that they would miss you till tomorrow morning."
"I suppose the rajah sent up for me, to amuse himself by
threatening me. He would hardly venture to do more, until he is
sure that Holkar has defeated us. However, as you say, there is
very little chance of their catching us."
As soon as they were down on the plain, Harry went on:
"We had better strike north, for an hour or two. They are sure to
ride across the plain in the direction of Delhi, thinking we shall
make straight for the city."
"That will be best, sahib."
Fortunately the rain had ceased, and the sky was cloudless, so that
they were able to direct their course by the stars. For two hours
they kept due north, and then turned west. It was a long journey
from the point where they turned. Harry calculated that it would be
nearly fifty miles. The fort was some fifteen miles northeast of
Sekerah, and they were now farther away from Delhi than they had
been when they started. He felt the advantage of the light native
dress, and the sandals that Abdool had given him instead of his
boots.
When they came across cultivated ground they walked; but a great
portion of the country was a sandy waste; with the ruins of
villages and temples that had, in the palmy days of the empire,
stood there. Across this they went at a trot, for the sand was
generally compact enough to sustain their weight.
"We shall hardly get there before day breaks, sahib," Abdool
remarked.
"No; but that is of little consequence. Probably, by this time,
Holkar will have marched away--either to give battle or, what is
more likely, to recruit; and for many miles round Delhi the country
will be rejoicing, at having been spared the ruin that would have
befallen it, had he taken the city. So I have no fear that we shall
be hindered on the way; for though they may wonder at my
appearance--for the dye has now almost worn off, and anyone can see
that I am a white--they will be all the more willing to render us
any assistance.
"There is no fear of the rajah's horsemen keeping up the pursuit,
beyond halfway between Sekerah and the city; for they must know
that all the zemindars and people round it are in our favour, and
that they might be attacked, when beyond the limits of the rajah's
jagheer."
When morning broke they could see, in the distance, the minarets of
Delhi.
"They must be ten miles away, Abdool, and I will enter the next
house we come to. I fancy, from our position, we must be close to
the residence of the zemindar who, at once, brought in a force of
fifty men to aid in the defence of the town. There we are sure of
hospitable treatment and, indeed, I sorely need rest and food. I
have eaten nothing since yesterday morning and, counting the
distance we made to the north after leaving the fort, we must have
walked nearly fifty miles."
Half a mile farther they saw a house, and made straight for it.
"Is Shuja Khan within?" Harry asked an armed retainer standing at
the entrance.
The soldier recognized Harry--having seen him when he called upon
his master--and replied:
"He returned last night, my lord."
"Will you tell him that Captain Lindsay, who was treacherously
captured by the Rajah of Sekerah, has just escaped, and is on his
way to the city; and that he asks for his hospitality?"
"Enter, my lord," the man said, salaaming deeply. "Our master will,
I am sure, gladly receive you."
He showed Harry into a large room where, a few minutes later, the
zemindar joined him.
"Peace be with you, sahib! I am rejoiced to see you in safety; for
I heard, at Delhi, that you had not returned, and there were fears
that ill had befallen you and your escort."
"My escort were killed, and I myself carried a prisoner to the
rajah's hill fort; and I have owed my escape to the faithfulness of
my servant, who got away when the others were massacred and,
disguising himself, got into the fort and contrived my escape."
"All honour be to him!" the zemindar said. "Then you have walked
all night?"
"Yes; we went ten miles to the north first, knowing that we should
be pursued; for we heard the alarm given, just after we started. We
have walked fifty miles and, when I say that I have eaten nothing
since yesterday morning, you may be sure that we are sorely in need
of refreshment."
"It shall be got ready, at once, sahib; and, while it is being
prepared, you can take a bath and a change of garments."
"I need the bath almost as much as I need a feed," Harry laughed.
"I have just been looking into the glass, and I see that I am
well-nigh as dark as when I came to you, nine or ten days ago."
His host led him to a room containing a bath, which was soon filled
by the servants, one of whom brought in a handsome suit of the
zemindar's clothes. It was more than half an hour before he went
down again. As soon as he entered the room, a servant brought in a
meal; consisting of slices of meat on a skewer, and a pillau of
chicken.
The zemindar sat by while he ate his meal, and Harry gave him a
short account of the manner in which he had effected his escape.
The former, in turn, related the events of the siege; adding that
spies had brought in the news, late in the afternoon, that Holkar
would march away in the morning, as he had heard that the English
army was but two days distant.
"Was he going to meet the English, or to retire towards Malwar?"
"That I cannot say, sahib, for the spies could not tell us.
Doubtless he and his army are much dispirited, at their failure to
take the city. But the general opinion of the townspeople was that
he would give battle, be victorious, and would return and continue
the siege."
"I have no fear of his being victorious. He knows, in the battles
of Assaye and Poona, how Scindia was utterly routed; and how, at
Laswaree and Delhi, the Mahrattas were scattered; and I do not
think that he will venture upon giving battle. But if he does, I
have no fear, whatever, of the result. It was more than his whole
army could do to break up Monson's force, although composed
entirely of native infantry, until it was near Agra. This time
there will be British infantry and cavalry, and the Mahrattas will
never stand against their charge."
Harry had already enquired about Abdool, and found that he had also
had a meal, and was now asleep.
"Now, sahib," Shuja said, "it were best that you should rest, for a
time. There will be nought doing in Delhi today and, after the heat
of the day is over, we can supply you with horses and an escort."
Harry accepted the invitation, for he was stiff and sore from his
exertions. The man showed him to a room that had been prepared for
him, and he was soon fast asleep. He did not awake until the sun
was getting low. He at once went downstairs.
"The horses are ready," the zemindar said, "but I pray you to take
a meal, before mounting. It is ready, and will be served directly."
Harry, who had been too tired to do justice to his food in the
morning, was by no means sorry to take another meal. As he rose to
go, he thanked the zemindar most heartily for his kindness.
"It is an honour that you have bestowed upon me," the zemindar
said, courteously. "You and your brave countrymen are fighting to
free us from the oppression of the Mahrattas, and any one of your
race would meet with a hearty welcome here."
The horses were now brought round. The one intended for Harry was a
very handsome animal, richly caparisoned.
"It is a fine horse, indeed," he said, as he was about to mount.
"The horse is yours, sahib," Shuja Khan said. "He is of good breed,
and will carry you far and fast. I shall esteem it a great honour
that you should ride him.
"Do not thank me, I pray you. 'Tis but a little thing to do, for
one of our brave defenders; of whose deeds one of your officers was
telling me, when he was deploring your loss."
"I thank you most heartily, Khan; and, after the manner in which
you have given it, I cannot refuse so handsome a present. I shall
be proud to ride such an animal; and you may be sure that, as I do
so, I shall often think of him who presented it to me; and shall
assuredly mention, to Colonel Ochterlony, the very great kindness
with which you have received me."
As he rode off, followed by an escort of four of the zemindar's
retainers, he saw with satisfaction that Abdool was also attired in
clean white garments.
"You have done well, I hope, Abdool?"
"I have been well treated, indeed, sahib, and the zemindar's head
man told me that I was to consider the horse on which I ride my
own. He will carry me well, for he is a stout and serviceable
animal. I was wondering what we should do for horses; for there are
but few in the city, as most of those owning them sent them away,
with their valuables, on hearing of Holkar's approach."
"The zemindar is a generous man, indeed. He has, as you heard,
presented me with the horse that I am riding. It is certainly a
splendid animal and, though my own was a good one, this is far
better. In fact, I have seen no handsomer horse, anywhere.
"I wish you had as good a one, Abdool, and then we need not fear
being overtaken, though half the Mahratta army were in pursuit."
They entered the city by the northern gate, and saw nothing of the
enemy, who were encamped on the other side of the city. Harry was
most warmly received by Colonel Ochterlony.
"I have been in much anxiety about you," he said. "That you had
been detained was certain; but I hoped that that petty rajah would
not have ventured to harm you, for he would be sure that, sooner or
later, we should have a heavy reckoning with him."
"I fancy, sir, that he was waiting for news from here. He was
convinced that Holkar would take the city, and defeat Lord Lake.
Had he done so, I have no doubt that he would either have sent me
prisoner to him, or would have despatched me and forwarded only my
head. As I felt certain that things would not turn out as he
stated, I had no great fear for my life; but I thought that I might
have been kept a prisoner for a very long time, for Lord Lake would
have his hands full in other directions."
"Then he released you on the news that Holkar had failed to capture
the city?"
"No, sir; I got away owing to the fidelity of my orderly who, after
riding off himself, when the two troopers with me were attacked and
killed, entered a hill fort where I was confined, took service
there, and contrived my escape. I shall hand in a report with the
details, for your perusal, when things have quietened down a bit.
My man has rendered me other valuable services, and I should be
greatly pleased if, in consideration of the fidelity and daring
that he has shown, you would think fit to recommend him for
promotion as a native officer. He belongs to the 3rd Bombay
Cavalry."
"I should certainly have pleasure in doing so, Captain Lindsay. I
shall, of course, be drawing up a list of the zemindars and others
who have rendered service, and recommending them for reward to the
Government. If you will give me the particulars as to the man's
name and services I will include him in the list. He has been with
you some time, has he not?"
"Yes, sir, for upwards of six years. He accompanied me from
Calcutta to Nagpore, when I went on a mission to the rajah, whom it
was desirable to keep neutral until the war in Mysore was brought
to an end. He was at Assaye, and journeyed in disguise across the
country with me, to carry the news of that victory to General Lake.
He took part with me in the cavalry charge at Laswaree, and in the
retreat of Colonel Monson's column."
"That is quite good enough," Colonel Ochterlony said. "But I should
think that it would be the shortest and best way for you to
recommend him direct to Lord Lake, who would be able to put him in
orders at once. At the same time, I will send to Calcutta a
recommendation that some special reward should be granted to him.
There will be a large number of forfeitures of the estates of those
who have sided with Scindia and Holkar. I make no doubt that, on my
strong recommendation, he will obtain a grant of the revenue of a
village or two. Such a grant would do good by showing that
instances of fidelity, even in the case of a private soldier, do
not go unnoticed or unrewarded. We expect the general's arrival
here in a couple of days."
"I shall be very glad, sir, if only because my uniform is coming on
with his baggage. At present, with my white face and this showy
native dress, I feel that I am stared at by everyone I meet. The
uniform that Captain Ewart lent me I had to leave behind, when I
made my escape."
"It will not inconvenience him, poor fellow," the colonel said,
"for he was almost cut in two, by a cannon shot, as the enemy
advanced to the last assault."
When the general arrived within three miles of the city, Harry rode
out to his camp and, having first obtained his uniform, went in to
report himself.
"So you got through safely, Captain Lindsay? I supposed that you
had, when the news reached us that Delhi was defending itself
stoutly for, had they not had some days warning, they could hardly
have held out for an hour."
"This is Colonel Burns's report of the military operations of the
siege, sir; and this is a letter from the Resident; and this is my
own report, of my doings since I left you at Agra."
"Thank you, Captain Lindsay. I shall have a communication to send
to Colonel Ochterlony this afternoon, and should be obliged if you
will carry it for me."
Harry bowed and left; and then joined the officers of the staff,
who were just sitting down to lunch, and were all glad to see him
again.
"So you managed to get through Holkar's lines, Lindsay?"
"Oh, yes! I met with no difficulty, and only fell in once with any
of his troops. I spent an evening with their officer, and after
that rode through without interruption. There was really no danger,
and I do not think Holkar, himself, could have suspected me of
being a British officer."
"And now, about the siege. You may imagine that we were all very
anxious about it; for though, of course, we should soon have
retaken the place, there would have been a general plunder and
massacre by that brute Holkar."
"You must wait for particulars until you get there," Harry said,
"for I know nothing about it whatever, except what I have heard."
"And how is that?"
"I was, at the time, a prisoner in the hands of the petty Rajah of
Sekerah. He promised to send in three hundred men. The day before
Holkar arrived, I was sent to urge him to despatch them instantly
to aid in the defence. He was evidently impressed with the idea
that Holkar was going to retake the place without any difficulty,
and would afterwards annihilate our army; so, thinking that was the
winning side, he arrested me, and sent me off to a hill fort,
fifteen miles away, and murdered my two troopers."
"And how did you get away?"
Harry gave an account of the manner in which Abdool had managed his
escape.
"Such a fellow as that is a jewel."
"He is indeed, Major; and I would not part with him for any money.
He came round with me from Bombay to Calcutta, six years ago, and
has ridden with me ever since. He fought most gallantly, in the
Malay Peninsula and at many other places. In my report, to the
general, of my last adventure I have mentioned his services with me
in my various journeys, and have strongly recommended his
promotion."
"He well deserves it," the major said. "He has, like you, carried
his life in his hand for, if he had been detected, undoubtedly he
would have shared your fate."