by G. A. Henty
Chapter 17: An Escape.
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 aride of three hours, arrived at the foot of a strong hill fort,perched on a lofty rock. Here the party dismounted. Halfway up thehill they passed through a gate in the lower wall; and then mountedto the fort, where the officer in command received them and, onreading an order from the rajah, conducted the prisoner into a roomat the summit of the highest tower. His arms were then unbound, andthe governor and soldiers left the room, locking and barring thedoor behind them.
On the way, Harry had thought over his position. It did not seem tohim desperate, if only Holkar failed to capture Delhi; and even ifhe did so, there was still some hope. He had no doubt that therajah was waiting to see how matters went. If Holkar captured thecity, he would probably send him in to him as a pledge of hisgoodwill; but he might still hesitate, until he saw the issue ofthe battle that was likely to be fought outside the walls, when theEnglish army arrived there. He had hitherto affected friendshipwith the English; and had offered no objection, whatever, to thesmall force being stationed near his town. But, doubtless, the newsof the disaster to Colonel Monson's force had shaken him; andconvinced him that the English were not invincible, and thatHolkar's immense army would inflict a decisive defeat upon them, inwhich case those who had shown any friendly feeling towards theEnglish would be made to suffer for it--by devastation of theirlands, and the loss of their jagheer, if not of their lives. Harryfelt, therefore, that the success of the attack on Delhi wouldprobably be as disastrous, to himself, as to all the defenders ofthe 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 fromthe foot of the wall, to a depth of two or three hundred feet. Onthe other side he looked down into a courtyard, sixty feet belowhim. This was surrounded by high and very strong walls, bristlingwith cannon; and with strong circular bastions at each corner.
Immediately below him was the flat roof of the house occupied bythe rajah, when staying at the fort; and round the yard were lowbuildings, 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 tobe unfastened and, opening it, he walked out. There was a flight ofnarrow stone steps, in what was evidently a projecting turret.Ascending these, he found himself on a flat roof, on the top of thetower. He spent half an hour here, examining carefully the featuresof the ground and the defences of the fort. The place, thoughstrong, did not approach, in this respect, many of the hill fortsthat he had seen in the Deccan; and he concluded that a Britishforce 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 armednatives entered. One of them carried a large bundle of straw, whichhe threw down in one corner; another bore a dish of rice, and athird a skin of water. They had evidently been told not to addresshim 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 wouldjust as lief sleep on straw as on a bed but, if I had had someblankets, I might have made myself a rope; though I don't think itwould have reached the roof of the house below, much less to thecourtyard, so that idea must be given up. I have heard of fellowsworking their way through the floors of their cells; but they havetaken away my knife, and there is not a scrap of furniture fromwhich I could get some iron to manufacture a tool. There is noconcealing a knife, when they bring my food; for it is sure to beas it is today--rice, or some other grain, boiled, and not even aspoon to eat it with.
"The door seems the only possible way though, at present, I cannotsee where the possibility comes in. It is of solid wood, and strongenough to cage a tiger. Still, if I am to get out, I fancy that itmust be through the door."
A closer examination of it did not increase his hopes. Even when hepushed his hardest against it, it did not yield in the slightestdegree. He sat down on the straw, and turned over every possibleidea in his mind. No scheme of getting out of the difficultypresented itself.
"The only chance that I can see is that, instead of four fellowscoming up with the man who brings my food, there may be only two.Taking them by surprise, and snatching a weapon from them, I mightmanage 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 waslikely, when he had once shaken off pursuit, to come back and tryto find out what had become of me. His face could not have beenparticularly noticed, for I expect the troopers were attacked assoon as I entered that scoundrel's house; and if he took off hisuniform, and went in in native dress, there would be little chanceof his being recognized. When he finds out where I have been taken,he will no doubt go back to Delhi, and report; but with Holkarwithin two miles, they have too much on their hands to think ofsending to demand my release. If Holkar fails to take the place,and retires as Lake approaches, there will no doubt be a hotpursuit; and certainly they could not send two or three hundred menhere. Less than that would be of no good, whatever. The rajah hascommitted himself, by the murder of my troopers and, as he cannothope for forgiveness, he would either fly to Oude, or else move inhere with his force, with which he would think himself safe fromanything short of an army.
"It is certain that, with such important work on hand, no men canbe spared for a rescue expedition. No, there is not a shadow ofchance, unless Holkar is defeated."
Having settled this matter in his mind, and decided that no amountof thinking would enable him to see a way of escaping; Harrydismissed the subject from his thoughts, ate his rice, and lay downas soon as it became dark, having had but little rest for the pastweek.
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 wasagain distinct.
"At any rate," he said to himself, "Holkar has not carried theplace by a sudden rush. There is a regularity about the fire thatshows that it is deliberate. No doubt they are breaching one of thewalls."
Going to the other side of the platform, he saw that a good many ofthe rajah's followers were standing on the wall, listening to thefiring. The wall itself was some thirty-five feet below the spotwhere he was standing; neither loophole of his cell commanded aview of it, so that a prisoner could hold no conversation with theguard below.
Presently another man came up on to the walls, and approached thegroup there. He was, like the others, dressed in a small whiteturban, a short jacket made of unbleached hemp; underneath whichwas a loose tunic, bound at the waist with a sash, and coming downto the knees. He carried a spear and matchlock, and across hisshoulder a small shield was slung. The others did not turn roundand, when a few yards from them, he looked up at Harry; and thelatter saw, to his delight, that he was Abdool.
Harry dared not make any gesture that might be noticed; but henodded his head slightly, and walked to the other side of theplatform, where he remained for a short time, and then returned.Abdool looked again in his direction; but continued to talk withthe others as to the attack upon the town, and agreed with themthat 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 comradesthere; but whether Abdool accompanied them, or was still in thefort, Harry could not make out. He did not, indeed, remain long onthe 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; andhad, no doubt, been engaged by the governor of the fort. The rajahwould be uneasy in his mind, and would assuredly take on an
y menthat presented themselves; in order to strengthen himself, ifHolkar failed to take the town; and also to gain the latter'sapprobation, 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 bestcommunicate with him.
Harry's meals were brought up twice a day, at seven o'clock in themorning 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 toopen communications with him, it was difficult for him to keepquiet; and he passed hours in pacing round and round his room.Occasionally he went up to the roof, but he could see no signs ofAbdool; 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 somesignal to be made to him.
Three days passed without a sign; and then, when the guard came inwith his ration, Harry saw that Abdool was one of the number. As heglanced at him, Abdool, who was standing a little way behind theothers, shook his head, and retired with them. Harry felt amomentary disappointment; but saw at once that nothing could beattempted in broad daylight; and that it was at night, only, thatthere was a possibility of success. He thought that Abdool had onlycome 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 thecentre of his rice, Harry found a small piece of paper rolled intoa ball. There was not, however, light enough to enable him to readit; but he lay awake half the night and, at the first gleam ofdaylight, went up on to the platform and, seating himself so thathe was not visible from below, waited till he could see to read theletter. It was, of course, in Mahratti; and so badly written thathe had difficulty in deciphering it. He finally, however, made itout.
"Tomorrow evening, when I come up, we will attack the others, ifall goes well; if not, will try the next evening."
So intent was he, in deciphering the writing, that he had hardlynoticed the outburst of heavy firing in the distance. He had fearedthe enemy had captured Delhi on the previous day, as he had heardno firing; but now the roar of cannon was very heavy, and he had nodoubt 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, followedby some palanquins.
"That looks hopeful," he said to himself. "A messenger has probablybrought the rajah news that the assault has failed, and he isbringing his zenana here for safety, until he hears the issue ofthe battle, which will probably take place in a day or two. Iwonder 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 aclamour of voices.
"Holkar has been thrashed. Now it is a toss up whether the rajahwill, in his anger, send up and have me brought down and executed.I think the chances are in my favour. The fellow is evidentlycrafty, or he would not have persuaded Ochterlony that he wasfriendly towards us; and I think he will hold me as a sort ofhostage so that, if Holkar is defeated, he may make favourableterms for himself by offering to surrender me."
It was not until an hour later that Harry heard a party ascendingthe stairs. When the door opened, he saw that two of the mencarried torches. Abdool, who was in the rear, closed the doorbehind him, and then said, "Now sahib!" and struck down the man infront of him with his tulwar.
Harry had risen to his feet, as he heard the men coming; and hadbraced himself up for a spring, when Abdool gave the word. With ablow straight from the shoulder, he struck the man carrying thedish senseless to the floor; tore the sword from his sash; wardedoff a hasty blow delivered by one torch bearer, who was too muchastonished at the sudden attack to act with decision, and cut himdown; while, at the same moment, Abdool almost severed the neck ofthe other.
"Thanks, Abdool," Harry said, grasping his follower's hand, "youhave saved my life!"
"Not yet, sahib. Our work has but begun. There are other dangers tobe met. However, the arrival of the rajah has been fortunate. Thenews he has brought has--but first, let me finish the man youknocked down."
"There is no occasion for that. Tear his sash into strips, and bindhis 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 theramparts. I am wearing an extra suit of clothes, so that you canget up as one of the garrison. I think we have plenty of time, forit is not likely that these men will be missed. Everyone is tooexcited by the news, that Holkar has failed to take Delhi, tonotice whether we return or not."
He took off the outer garment that he had brought with him, whileHarry removed his uniform and attired himself in it and, placingthe turban of one of the soldiers on his head, possessed himself ofa shield, spear, and dagger, and then said:
"What next, Abdool?"
"We will put out these torches, sahib,"--these were still burningon the floor--"the light might be noticed from below, and theymight 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 theplatform above. They fastened one end of the rope to thebattlement, having first tied knots at short intervals.
"I will go down first on to the wall, sahib; and if by chance anyman 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 courtyardwas dark, save that a few torches burned here and there. A greatbabble of talking was going on, and the windows of the rajah'shouse were lighted up.
"What are your plans, Abdool? I see that we shall be able to getthrough the gates, here, without fear of discovery. Is the gatethrough the other wall shut?"
"Yes, sahib, it is always closed at sunset. Except where the roadcomes up to the gate, there is only one place where the rockprojects at the foot of the wall, and there is a possibility ofclimbing down. That was where I had intended we should cross thewall. The height is but twenty feet, there, and I have another ropeof 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 theCompany's troops and, as there is no enemy near, they think thatsuch a watch is unnecessary; and if any have been sent there, theyare pretty sure to have gone to the huts, to talk over the newsfrom Delhi. The matter should be easy enough.
"We may as well start at once. These fellows will quieten downpresently, and will then be more likely to hear any noise we maymake."
Looking about, they went down by the stairs leading to thecourtyard and walked carelessly across. Taking care to avoidmingling with the excited groups and, at the same time, keeping asfar from the torches burning in the courtyard as possible, theypassed through the gate--which was standing open without aguard--and followed the zigzag road, with towers placed at itscorners, 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 mento pass, along the whole length of it. The road terminated in aheavy gate, some forty yards above that through the outer wall. Abastion covered it so that, were the lower gate carried, an enemywould not be able to bring guns to bear against it. This gate stoodopen and, passing through it and behind the bastion, they came atonce upon the low, stone-built huts where the majority of thegarrison lived, in time of peace.
Several torches were burning here, and round eac
h of these weregroups of men, talking excitedly. Leaving Harry behind one of thehuts, Abdool strolled up for a few minutes, to listen to theconversation, and then rejoined his master.
"What are they saying, Abdool?"
"They are saying, sir, that it was wrong of Holkar to attack thecity, 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 twohundred cannon. These will mow down the English. Then the cavalrywill charge, and there will be an end of the matter."
"They seem to have forgotten all about Laswaree," Harry said. "Butwe 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 wasentirely deserted, and they made their way cautiously until closeto the gate. Harry then stopped, and Abdool went on with noiselesstread. 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 forus to descend by that rope that you have got."
"Yes, sahib. We go out by an entrance on to a bastion, flanking thegate. The rope will be long enough there or, at any rate, therewill be but a very short drop."
They entered the tower through the door communicating with thewall. Abdool led the way.
"Keep close to me, sahib. I went down here this morning, and canfind my way in the dark. I did not think that there was much chanceof our coming this way, but it was better to find out all aboutit."
Moving slowly and cautiously, they came to a flight of steps. Theydescended 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 willhave to drop; for the wall looks, to me, higher than it was at thepoint where I intended to descend."
Abdool at once slipped down.]
It was tied round the neck of a gun, and Abdool at once slippeddown. There was a pause, then a slight dull sound, and the ropehung loose.
"The knot at the end is ten feet from the ground," Abdool said, ina low tone.
"That is near enough," Harry replied, and then he swung himselfover.
When he came to the last knot, he lowered himself to the fulllength of his arms and let go. The fall was not much more than ayard; and Abdool stood close by, ready to catch him, should he misshis foothold on alighting.
They at once started, at a rapid pace, down the hill. They hadnearly reached the plain when the deep note of a horn was heard.
"That is the alarm!" Harry exclaimed. "They have found out that Ihave gone."
"They will soon be after us, but there is no fear of their catchingus," Abdool said, as they broke into a trot. "No one will know, atfirst, what has happened. Everyone will run to his post; then theywill have to search the fort, and all the ground between it and thelower wall. All that will take time. It may be an hour beforehorsemen start.
"I did not think that they would miss you till tomorrow morning."
"I suppose the rajah sent up for me, to amuse himself bythreatening me. He would hardly venture to do more, until he issure that Holkar has defeated us. However, as you say, there isvery 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 toride across the plain in the direction of Delhi, thinking we shallmake straight for the city."
"That will be best, sahib."
Fortunately the rain had ceased, and the sky was cloudless, so thatthey were able to direct their course by the stars. For two hoursthey kept due north, and then turned west. It was a long journeyfrom the point where they turned. Harry calculated that it would benearly fifty miles. The fort was some fifteen miles northeast ofSekerah, and they were now farther away from Delhi than they hadbeen when they started. He felt the advantage of the light nativedress, and the sandals that Abdool had given him instead of hisboots.
When they came across cultivated ground they walked; but a greatportion of the country was a sandy waste; with the ruins ofvillages and temples that had, in the palmy days of the empire,stood there. Across this they went at a trot, for the sand wasgenerally compact enough to sustain their weight.
"We shall hardly get there before day breaks, sahib," Abdoolremarked.
"No; but that is of little consequence. Probably, by this time,Holkar will have marched away--either to give battle or, what ismore likely, to recruit; and for many miles round Delhi the countrywill be rejoicing, at having been spared the ruin that would havebefallen it, had he taken the city. So I have no fear that we shallbe hindered on the way; for though they may wonder at myappearance--for the dye has now almost worn off, and anyone can seethat I am a white--they will be all the more willing to render usany assistance.
"There is no fear of the rajah's horsemen keeping up the pursuit,beyond halfway between Sekerah and the city; for they must knowthat all the zemindars and people round it are in our favour, andthat they might be attacked, when beyond the limits of the rajah'sjagheer."
When morning broke they could see, in the distance, the minarets ofDelhi.
"They must be ten miles away, Abdool, and I will enter the nexthouse we come to. I fancy, from our position, we must be close tothe residence of the zemindar who, at once, brought in a force offifty men to aid in the defence of the town. There we are sure ofhospitable treatment and, indeed, I sorely need rest and food. Ihave eaten nothing since yesterday morning and, counting thedistance we made to the north after leaving the fort, we must havewalked 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 atthe entrance.
The soldier recognized Harry--having seen him when he called uponhis master--and replied:
"He returned last night, my lord."
"Will you tell him that Captain Lindsay, who was treacherouslycaptured by the Rajah of Sekerah, has just escaped, and is on hisway 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, thezemindar joined him.
"Peace be with you, sahib! I am rejoiced to see you in safety; forI heard, at Delhi, that you had not returned, and there were fearsthat ill had befallen you and your escort."
"My escort were killed, and I myself carried a prisoner to therajah's hill fort; and I have owed my escape to the faithfulness ofmy 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 walkedall night?"
"Yes; we went ten miles to the north first, knowing that we shouldbe pursued; for we heard the alarm given, just after we started. Wehave walked fifty miles and, when I say that I have eaten nothingsince yesterday morning, you may be sure that we are sorely in needof refreshment."
"It shall be got ready, at once, sahib; and, while it is beingprepared, 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 amwell-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 filledby the servants, one of whom brought in a handsome suit of thezemindar's clothes. It was more than half an hour before he wentdown again. As soon as he entered the room, a servant brought in ameal; consisting of slices of meat on a skewer, and a pillau ofchicken.
The zemindar sat by while he ate his meal, and Harry gave him as
hort account of the manner in which he had effected his escape.The former, in turn, related the events of the siege; adding thatspies had brought in the news, late in the afternoon, that Holkarwould march away in the morning, as he had heard that the Englisharmy 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 totake the city. But the general opinion of the townspeople was thathe would give battle, be victorious, and would return and continuethe siege."
"I have no fear of his being victorious. He knows, in the battlesof Assaye and Poona, how Scindia was utterly routed; and how, atLaswaree and Delhi, the Mahrattas were scattered; and I do notthink that he will venture upon giving battle. But if he does, Ihave no fear, whatever, of the result. It was more than his wholearmy could do to break up Monson's force, although composedentirely of native infantry, until it was near Agra. This timethere will be British infantry and cavalry, and the Mahrattas willnever stand against their charge."
Harry had already enquired about Abdool, and found that he had alsohad a meal, and was now asleep.
"Now, sahib," Shuja said, "it were best that you should rest, for atime. There will be nought doing in Delhi today and, after the heatof the day is over, we can supply you with horses and an escort."
Harry accepted the invitation, for he was stiff and sore from hisexertions. The man showed him to a room that had been prepared forhim, and he was soon fast asleep. He did not awake until the sunwas getting low. He at once went downstairs.
"The horses are ready," the zemindar said, "but I pray you to takea meal, before mounting. It is ready, and will be served directly."
Harry, who had been too tired to do justice to his food in themorning, was by no means sorry to take another meal. As he rose togo, he thanked the zemindar most heartily for his kindness.
"It is an honour that you have bestowed upon me," the zemindarsaid, courteously. "You and your brave countrymen are fighting tofree us from the oppression of the Mahrattas, and any one of yourrace would meet with a hearty welcome here."
The horses were now brought round. The one intended for Harry was avery 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 honourthat you should ride him.
"Do not thank me, I pray you. 'Tis but a little thing to do, forone of our brave defenders; of whose deeds one of your officers wastelling me, when he was deploring your loss."
"I thank you most heartily, Khan; and, after the manner in whichyou have given it, I cannot refuse so handsome a present. I shallbe proud to ride such an animal; and you may be sure that, as I doso, I shall often think of him who presented it to me; and shallassuredly mention, to Colonel Ochterlony, the very great kindnesswith which you have received me."
As he rode off, followed by an escort of four of the zemindar'sretainers, he saw with satisfaction that Abdool was also attired inclean white garments.
"You have done well, I hope, Abdool?"
"I have been well treated, indeed, sahib, and the zemindar's headman told me that I was to consider the horse on which I ride myown. He will carry me well, for he is a stout and serviceableanimal. I was wondering what we should do for horses; for there arebut 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 asplendid animal and, though my own was a good one, this is farbetter. In fact, I have seen no handsomer horse, anywhere.
"I wish you had as good a one, Abdool, and then we need not fearbeing overtaken, though half the Mahratta army were in pursuit."
They entered the city by the northern gate, and saw nothing of theenemy, who were encamped on the other side of the city. Harry wasmost warmly received by Colonel Ochterlony.
"I have been in much anxiety about you," he said. "That you hadbeen detained was certain; but I hoped that that petty rajah wouldnot have ventured to harm you, for he would be sure that, sooner orlater, we should have a heavy reckoning with him."
"I fancy, sir, that he was waiting for news from here. He wasconvinced that Holkar would take the city, and defeat Lord Lake.Had he done so, I have no doubt that he would either have sent meprisoner to him, or would have despatched me and forwarded only myhead. As I felt certain that things would not turn out as hestated, I had no great fear for my life; but I thought that I mighthave been kept a prisoner for a very long time, for Lord Lake wouldhave his hands full in other directions."
"Then he released you on the news that Holkar had failed to capturethe city?"
"No, sir; I got away owing to the fidelity of my orderly who, afterriding off himself, when the two troopers with me were attacked andkilled, entered a hill fort where I was confined, took servicethere, and contrived my escape. I shall hand in a report with thedetails, for your perusal, when things have quietened down a bit.My man has rendered me other valuable services, and I should begreatly pleased if, in consideration of the fidelity and daringthat he has shown, you would think fit to recommend him forpromotion as a native officer. He belongs to the 3rd BombayCavalry."
"I should certainly have pleasure in doing so, Captain Lindsay. Ishall, of course, be drawing up a list of the zemindars and otherswho have rendered service, and recommending them for reward to theGovernment. If you will give me the particulars as to the man'sname and services I will include him in the list. He has been withyou some time, has he not?"
"Yes, sir, for upwards of six years. He accompanied me fromCalcutta to Nagpore, when I went on a mission to the rajah, whom itwas desirable to keep neutral until the war in Mysore was broughtto an end. He was at Assaye, and journeyed in disguise across thecountry 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 theretreat of Colonel Monson's column."
"That is quite good enough," Colonel Ochterlony said. "But I shouldthink that it would be the shortest and best way for you torecommend him direct to Lord Lake, who would be able to put him inorders at once. At the same time, I will send to Calcutta arecommendation that some special reward should be granted to him.There will be a large number of forfeitures of the estates of thosewho have sided with Scindia and Holkar. I make no doubt that, on mystrong recommendation, he will obtain a grant of the revenue of avillage or two. Such a grant would do good by showing thatinstances of fidelity, even in the case of a private soldier, donot go unnoticed or unrewarded. We expect the general's arrivalhere in a couple of days."
"I shall be very glad, sir, if only because my uniform is coming onwith his baggage. At present, with my white face and this showynative dress, I feel that I am stared at by everyone I meet. Theuniform that Captain Ewart lent me I had to leave behind, when Imade 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 enemyadvanced to the last assault."
When the general arrived within three miles of the city, Harry rodeout to his camp and, having first obtained his uniform, went in toreport himself.
"So you got through safely, Captain Lindsay? I supposed that youhad, when the news reached us that Delhi was defending itselfstoutly for, had they not had some days warning, they could hardlyhave held out for an hour."
"This is Colonel Burns's report of the military operations of thesiege, sir; and this is a letter from the Resident; and this is myown report, of my doings since I left you at Agra."
"Thank you, Captain Lindsay. I shall have a communication to sendto Colonel Ochterlony this afternoon, and should be obliged if youwill 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 himagain.
"So you managed to get through Holkar's lines, Lindsay?"
"Oh, yes! I met with no difficulty, and only fell in once with anyof his troops. I spent an evening with their officer, and afterthat rode through without interruption. There was really no danger,and I do not think Holkar, himself, could have suspected me ofbeing a British officer."
"And now, about the siege. You may imagine that we were all veryanxious about it; for though, of course, we should soon haveretaken the place, there would have been a general plunder andmassacre 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 ofSekerah. He promised to send in three hundred men. The day beforeHolkar arrived, I was sent to urge him to despatch them instantlyto aid in the defence. He was evidently impressed with the ideathat Holkar was going to retake the place without any difficulty,and would afterwards annihilate our army; so, thinking that was thewinning 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 hisescape.
"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, andhas ridden with me ever since. He fought most gallantly, in theMalay Peninsula and at many other places. In my report, to thegeneral, of my last adventure I have mentioned his services with mein my various journeys, and have strongly recommended hispromotion."
"He well deserves it," the major said. "He has, like you, carriedhis life in his hand for, if he had been detected, undoubtedly hewould have shared your fate."