Events moved fast now for the little, isolated troop. Hardly had the
inspection been finished when there was a challenge from the roof over
the gateway. The sentry announced the coming of horse, and Wyatt
frowned.
"Oh, if we had a gun up there!" he said.
"Only a waste of fire," said Dick. "We are so out of place here."
"Yes, I know, my dear boy," replied Wyatt; "but we are surrounded by
enemies now through that wretched, childish trap they laid for the
Rajah, and I feel as if I must hit some one."
The next minute the head of a strong body of horse was halted in front,
and all doubt as to its purpose was at an end, for the captain of the
guard rode up to the gate and demanded to see Captain Hulton.
A quick movement was made in the courtyard, and then orders were given
for the gate to be opened, and the captain rode in, giving a quick
glance round, and there was a look of satisfaction in his eyes as he
noted the state of military readiness around, as he walked his horse up
to where the little group of officers sat mounted.
"I am the bearer of the Rajah's commands, sir," he said loudly to
Hulton, after a quick look of recognition at the others.
"Or the Wazir's, sir?" said Hulton sarcastically.
"The Rajah's," said the captain, "given to me from his own lips, and
with the Ranee standing at his right hand. He bids me say that he has
no further need for the services of the English artillery troop, and he
desires that it evacuates the old palace and leaves Soojeepur at once."
"Indeed!" said Hulton coldly; "and how am I to interpret the words `at
once'?"
"Directly," was the laconic reply.
"But our preparations--stores? The Rajah must give us two days for
preparation."
"His highness grants no time for preparation," replied the messenger.
"I and my guard, one hundred strong, have his commands to protect you
and see you right out of the city, a quarter day's journey upon your
road back, and to see that none of the people attack you."
"It will be awkward for the people if they do," growled Wyatt
menacingly.
"Yes," said the messenger, with a smile; "but the Rajah desires that the
great Company's troops shall return as they came, in haste, and you must
ride out now in less than an hour."
"Then we will," cried Hulton, "and he must answer for it to our general.
We will shake the dust, as you would say, of this ungrateful place from
off our feet; and maybe we shall return."
"In an hour, then?" said the captain.
"Yes," said Hulton, whose pale face lit lip; and in spite of his long
and wasting illness, he looked very much the man again. "In an hour,
and before we have gone long he will bitterly repent his act--when he is
at the mercy of this bigoted Wazir and his weak mother."
"Yes," said the officer, giving him a meaning look as he spoke in a low
voice; "and would that I could surround him with his guard and the two
regiments you have drilled so well to bring him away too. He cannot
help himself; he is driven. You will hear soon that he is dead."
"Tell him from me," said Hulton, "that if he will give the word and come
to our help, even now we will place him firmly upon his throne."
"It is too late," said the officer sadly. "He would not fight against
his people and the priests."
"In spite of his brave words?"
"You do not know the hold they have," replied the officer sadly. "Even
now I feel as if I am behaving like a traitor to my Rajah and the people
here."
"Then--"
"I have a duty to do, sir, and it is partly done. In one hour you will
ride out from here on your homeward way. If you are attacked, remember
that I and my men are fighting for our brothers-in-arms, for there is
not a man in my guard who would raise a sword against you. I only say,
be ready and well prepared."
He rode back to the gate without another word, and Wyatt cried warmly:
"I'd trust that fellow with my life. In an hour, then?"
"Yes," said Hulton; "we must leave all our heavy stores, and go as a
flying column on the march in an enemy's country."
"Yes," said Wyatt with a grim smile: "and the sooner we have got rid of
our escort the better."
"Why?"
"Because there will be no friends in the way of our guns?"
The trumpet rang out, the preparations were made with wonderful
celerity, and Dick looked gloomily at the quantity of ammunition and
stores that was to be left behind.
"Hadn't we better blow up the powder before we go?"
"No," said Wyatt sharply. "Let it be locked up where it is. Who knows
but we may come back for a fresh supply?"
Within the hour the captain of the guard was summoned from where he was
busy overlooking his men, patrolling the streets and driving the people
back; and when he rode into the courtyard he once more gazed round
wonderingly.
"I am ready, sir," said Hulton, making a brave effort to master his
weakness and retain the command of the troop, though his
brother-officers and the doctor had all implored him to give up and ride
in one of the wagons. But, "No," he said; "as I rode into this place
I'll ride out."
Without a word the captain of the guard divided his men into two bodies
for advance and rear-guard, gave the order to march, and the trampling
of the hoofs began through the streets. The guns, limbers, and wagons
rattled and rambled, and amidst the sharp trampling of horses the train
passed on, with every man's sabre loose in the scabbard, and pistols
ready for the attack they momentarily expected at the various crossings.
But, to the surprise of all, the main way was reached, and as they came
in sight of the great gate opening upon the bridge, it was to see the
route open, and only the ordinary number of guards stationed upon the
gate-towers and about the gates.
"I don't understand this, Dick," said Wyatt, riding alongside; "surely
they're never going to let us ride off without a row."
"It seems like it. The Rajah's orders."
"Then it is horribly disappointing, lad. I meant to go straight for
that Wazir, and here we are riding off like a lot of mangy, whipped dogs
with our tails between our legs."
"It does seem very meek and tame."
"Yes; look at our escort. Bless it! what do we want with an escort? I
say, do you know what the Irishman said?"
"Which? The one who made the bull?"
"No, no; the one in a _timper_. He said he was spoiling for a fight.
That's just how I feel--spoiling; and here we go riding away like this."
"Well," said Dick dryly, "it will make it easier for the doctor. I say,
though, would you ever have thought that the Rajah would turn out so
weak as--as--"
"To be led by the nose by the Wazir's party?" said Wyatt smartly. "Oh,
yes, I could believe anything of an Eastern prince."
The conversation soon flagged, and the troop trotted steadily on after
the bridge was crossed, the escort riding well in front and rear, but
holding thoroughly aloof, even the officers keeping apart.
Now, for the benefit of the teams drawing the ammunition-wagons through
the deep, sandy parts, the speed was eased and the horses well breathed
from time to time. Then, upon their reaching some gentle slope where
the ground was hard, the word was given and the horses broke into a
gentle canter for a mile, but only to ease again, till at last the
captain of the Rajah's guard suddenly wheeled his troop round from the
front to form up in the rear of those behind, and as the evolution was
in progress he turned his own horse and rode up alongside of the
artillery officers.
"This is the end of my course," he said, "and I wish you safety for the
rest of your way."
"Thanks; and we wish you the same," said Hulton.
"I have no right to speak," continued the captain, "but if I were in
your place I would journey on the whole night through."
"Ah!" cried Dick, "you fear treachery?"
"I say nothing, only that I think the way is clear before you. May we
meet again."
He turned, gave the word, and rode off at a gallop; while, after
watching him and his troop till they disappeared, Hulton continued his
course for a time, till a suitable spot appeared, and then called a halt
in the middle of an open part of the country, where ample notice could
be given by the outposts of any danger that might be approaching.
The halt was short, but several little matters needed seeing to after
the hurried start. Then the word "Forward" was given once more, and the
troop went on at a fair pace, the intention being to get well on with
the march before dark, or till a suitable place for a bivouac could be
found.
This last showed itself sooner than had been reckoned upon, about a mile
on the hither side of a mountain range and a long gorge they had passed
through while coming--a part so full of opportunities for an active
enemy on foot to contrive an ambush, that Hulton called a halt just at
sundown, keeping up the air of its being merely temporary till dark, and
hurriedly making preparations for the night by unlimbering and loading
the guns, which were placed at intervals with the wagons in a circle
about the halting-place, the horses being picketed in the centre with
their bits only removed, while the men lay down to rest, ready for
action at the slightest alarm. Then vedettes rode out to keep their
lonely watch, and all was still.
It was some time before sleep would come to Dick, but he slept soundly
and restfully at last in the cool, fresh night air, and did not wake
till the men were roused just before daybreak to partake of the simple
rations they had brought, eating hurriedly in the darkness before the
order was given to fall in, and the officers rode forward a short
distance to reconnoitre.
All looked calm and peaceful in the soft, grey dawn, but a long reach of
rugged track extended before them for miles and miles, and there was the
possibility, slight though it was, of the enemy having made a detour and
reached some suitable spot from whence a sudden attack might be made,
this of course being chosen where the guns would be of little or no
avail.
The doctor rode with them, and while they were carefully examining every
rock and clump of trees, he asked Dick if he did not think they were
being too cautious.
"We can't," said the young officer, "for it seems impossible that the
Wazir, now he is getting back into power, could let us ride off so
quietly."
"He dare not attack," said the doctor, "for fear of the punishment he
would bring down upon his head when the news reached headquarters."
"I don't know," replied Dick. "These petty chiefs who have never seen
England's power cannot believe that it is stronger than theirs, and--
What's that?"
"Runaway horse, seemingly," replied the doctor, shading his eyes, as a
swift animal came galloping out from the defile before them, straight
along the track which led to where they were about to continue the
march.
The officers watched the coming horse curiously, and soon made out that
it was gaily caparisoned and evidently belonged to some one of note; the
question now arising--How could that horse have escaped, and be
galloping towards them from out of the rugged defile ahead?
All at once it was sighted by Dick's Arab, which snorted out a
challenge. This the coming steed heard, stopped short, threw up its
head, answered the challenge, and then came galloping up to join the
group of its kind.
"I know that horse," cried Dick eagerly, "by the one white hindleg and
hoof."
"Where have you seen it?" said Wyatt.
"One of the Wazir's friends used to ride it."
"There, what did I tell you?" said Wyatt turning to Hulton. "I knew it
directly. They've prepared a nice little trap for us; but we might have
guessed it without this warning. Now then," he continued, as the horse
cantered so closely up to Burnouse that Dick deftly caught the loose
bridle and secured the steed, "how will this do? We can pretty well
guess where they will be. We must draw them out."
"What! dismount men and skirmish with them?" cried Hulton warmly. "They
will be too cunning for us."
"If we did that," said Wyatt quietly. "I meant something very
different."
"You must bear in mind that we are being watched."
"Yes, I have taken that into consideration. Tell me what you think.
The enemy know that we have just bivouacked for the night."
Hulton nodded.
"And are cautiously preparing to start."
"Yes, of course."
"Then divide the troop into two, with their three guns each; leave one
with the wagons as if not yet quite ready, and send the other steadily
marching to the full extent of the open manoeuvring ground, and then
make believe."
"Make believe what?"
"To have caught sight of the hiding enemy; and, with a good deal of
confusion, let the men face about and take flight to get back into the
open."
"I see," cried Hulton eagerly. "It will be too much for the enemy, and
they will pursue to a man, so as to take advantage of the panic."
"Exactly," replied Wyatt dryly. "Then the waiting troop can give them a
few hints of what we can do, throw them into confusion, cut off their
retreat back into the rough ground, and long before then the first troop
will have begun to speak."
"But the wagons, the baggage, and guard?"
"Let the wagons take care of themselves, Hulton," cried Wyatt hotly.
"You take three guns, and give me the other three; and if between us we
cannot, by playing into each other's hands, astonish these irregular
gentlemen, we have been drilling together all this time for nothing."
"Yes," said Hulton, whose pale face was flushed with his growing
excitement; "but there is one thing."
"What?"
"Suppose they have the two regiments of horse we have been drilling for
them?"
"We will not suppose anything of the kind," said Wyatt dryly. "Of
course, if they had it might be bad for us. Now what do you say?"
"I am obliged to confess that the heart's good, Wyatt, but the body's
weak. Take the three guns and advance; leave me with the other three.
I'll do my best, but if I break down I want Darrell and Stubbs; they
will carry out your plans, and we _will_ do what you say. Only mind,
every effort must be made to keep the enemy from getting back among the
mountains. We must not have them again between us and safety."
"I see," said Wyatt, drawing himself up in his saddle. "Now for your
orders."
They rode back the few dozen yards to the waiting troop, Dick taking a
final glance at the lovely stretch of mountain and forest to their
south, so beautiful in the morning light that it seemed impossible for
it to hold a foe. Then he was listening to his orders, with his heart
beginning to palpitate at the thought of what was to come.
Wyatt's proposal was carried out to the letter. The first troop rode
off with three guns, and the men left stared and wondered, and then
stared the more at being ordered to dismount, detach the teams from the
wagons, and do over again what had already been done.
Dick sat watching the first troop, already half a mile away, till he saw
that Stubbs was trying to catch his attention; and when he met the old
sergeant's eye there was a question in it, and that question was,
according to the young officer's interpretation: "Is the captain going
off his head?" And he looked again when Hulton gave the order for the
wagon teams of six to be separated from the uniting traces into three
pairs, each with its well-armed driver.
But everything was of course done, and was ready for the manoeuvre long
before Wyatt and his party had ridden leisurely to the end of the level
ground.
Then all at once those waiting saw him call a halt, ride forward with a
couple of men as if in doubt, and then wheel round, waving his hand as
he galloped back, and the next minute his troop was in full flight.
Dick glanced at Hulton, who gave the order to unlimber and load, his men
being already dismounted; and this was hardly executed when a faint
burst of shouting was borne upon their ears, and, glittering in the
first rays of the sun, a great body of horse came streaming out from
different parts among the mountains, looking in the distance like living
streams running together into one as they reached the open ground, and
tearing on in pursuit of the flying troop.
"Hor! hor!" laughed Stubbs softly, and he looked at Hanson, who was
standing at one gun; "another chance for you, my lads. Something to hit
at last."
Just then Hulton gave his orders sharply to the effect that when the men
ceased firing and limbered up, the drivers were to leave the wagons and
fall in with the rest of the troop, thus augmenting it by the accession
of so many more men and horses.
The effect was marvellous. At least a dozen white-turbaned heads were
thrust out from beneath the wagon-tilts, their owners staring with
horror at the thought of being left behind, but as the order to fire
rang out the heads were withdrawn and seen no more.
Everything went marvellously well. Hulton waited till the pursuing
enemy were gathered in their thickest mass about a quarter of a mile
away before he ordered the firing to commence, and the effect was
terrible; but the enemy tore on after the flying troop till two rounds
had been fired from each gun, when, unable to bear the punishment
longer, the whole body of horse, as if moved by one impulse, swung round
to attack the battery on their flank.
This was the signal for the retreating troop to halt and unlimber; and
as the enemy came on they were being raked now by grape from the fresh
direction, while before they could reach Hulton's party his men were off
and away, leaving the wagons looking solitary in the middle of the
plain.
All happened exactly as was planned. At every turn, to punish the
punishers, one or the other battery opened upon the undisciplined mob of
horse, which rapidly grew more and more disintegrated, till the two
troops were manoeuvred so as to join just at the right time, when the
broken up brilliant force of irregular cavalry was beginning to separate
into knots and retreat.
Then, as rapidly as they could be served, the six guns swept the plain,
which was now covered with flying horses and men.
But the fight was not to close without its tragic incident for the
victors.
Just when the final rounds were being fired and the battery was thick
with the rising smoke, there was a roaring shout raised from the right,
the rush of horses, the clash of steel, and, unseen till close up, a
body of about thirty gaily-dressed swordsmen were upon them, leaping
their horses at the guns and cutting at every man they could reach, as
they tore right along the full length of the battery.
In the fierce melee sabres, pistols, and rammers were used for the
defence, but several men went down, and with them Dick, who was
conscious of a mounted man riding at him right out of the smoke to give
him a terrible cut upon the helmet, and then of the flash of a sabre
from somewhere by his side, a heavy concussion, and of hearing a hoarse,
gurgling cry. Then noise and confusion, with darkness over all.