In Times of Peril A Tale of India

again on the arrival of a message to the effect that the enemy had fled. The news had spread rapidly that some fugitives had escaped from Sandynugghur, where it w

nse, and of the slaughter inflicted upon the enemy by this handful of men. The fugitives were, of course, taken first to the m

ficers who had friends and acquaintances among the military and civilians at Sandynugghur; and the fugitives learned that they were, so far as was known, the only survivors from the massacre. The story of their escape, and the safety of the g

ful. At Lucknow and Cawnpore every precaution was being taken, but a rising was regarded as inevitable. In fact everywhere, save in the Punjab, trouble had either come or was coming. General Anson was collecting in all haste a force at Umballah, which was intended to advance upon Delhi-where the ex-ki

n from Delhi, civilians and milita

galow has been given up to the ladi

said; "in the first place to go out and bring in my daughter and niece

cavalry, so I should think that you will get leave; but it will be a hazardous business to make your way

f irregular horse was to be formed for scouting and general purposes, and that unattached officers might, until they received further orders, join it, than the tent whi

, and to the civilians resident there, to give up any horses they might be able to spare for the public service, while others were bought from friendly zemindars. In a week the troop were all mounted, and during this time they had worked hard to acquire a sufficient amount of cavalry drill to enable them to perform such simple evolutions as might be necessary. Major Warrener divided the squadron into two troops, each with a captain and subaltern; all these officers being cavalrymen, as were the officers who did duty as sergeants. Thus Major Warrener had the general command, each troop being maneuvered by its own officers. In the ranks as simple privates were two majors and a dozen captains-among these latter, Captain Manners

e, a deep feeling of satisfaction, as well as of surprise, when, on the tenth day after the formation of the corps, the men were told, on being dismissed from morning parade, that the squadron would parade for duty at eveni

t, who commanded the first troop, by his side, and behind them came two native guides well acquainted with the country. These had been dressed in the uniform of a native cavalry regiment, in order that if they passed any village and were challenged, they could ride forward and represent the troop as a body of native cavalry sent out from Delhi on a mission to a friendly rajah. The precaution was unnecessary. During two long night marches, with occasional halts to rest the horses, they rode without interruption. They passed through several villages; but although the tramp of the horses and the rattle of sabers must have been heard by the inhabitants, none stirred, for the mutineers took what they wanted without paying, and were already behaving as masters of the country; and even thus early the country people were beginning to doubt whether the fall of the English Raj, and the substitution of the old native rule, with its war, its bloodshed, and i

lop, you must positively lie down; you know Johnson said it was mad in you to get on horseback till your bone had

IVE MINUTES' RIDING, T

CRY OF

ome hours. It had been determined to start in time to arrive at the farmhouse before it was dark, as the boys required daylight to enable them to recognize the lo

se three palm trees growing together in a clump, at a

house?" Major

Dick said, and he looked at

"we certainly o

t mistaken in the locali

oys answered togeth

said, catching the fear which was e

words were needed; the truth was apparent; the fugitives had been discovered, and the abode of their protectors destroyed. Their two friends joined

ajor Warrener asked, br

one answered; an

rmer's people in the hut where we s

there are no bodies lying about, so the farm people are probably alive. As

ar the door. These rose on seeing the group of Englishmen, but made no attempt at flight. They entered the hut without ceremony, and Ned and Dick hu

hurt?" were the three questions poured out rapi

to come and tell you; but as you see," and he pointed to the ban

girls?" a

d off by the troops of

long

day, s

off is

iles,

now took up the

he one wh

getting stronger again wh

l at Nahdoor? or that they

the truth of the matter. My servant has just returned; they had not left at three o'clock, and they would be sure not to start after that

n never pay to you-or to your wife and daughter," he added, turning to the women, who, their first impulse of alarm over, had now, in the presence of friends, uncovered their faces, for it is only the higher class of Hindoo women who closely veil-"for your care in nu

and ordered them to come out. My wife and daughter came to the door. 'Where is the one who is said to be sick?' he said; 'I must see her too.' Then, seeing that he was determined to enter, the young mem sahib came to the door. The captain gave a shout of pleasure; calling in his men, he entered the room, and, in spite of the entreaties of her sister, brought the one who was sick out also. She was able to walk, but, as we had agreed between us should be done if discovery was made, she pretended that she was almost at the point of death. Some poles were got; a hammock was made; and borne by four bearers, she was carried away, her sister being placed

e warmest terms for what they had done, and the former pressed upon the

ver that England knows how to reward those who proved faithful when so many were faithless. Now we will s

in the saddle again, and dire

, which rose perpendicularly some eighty or a hundred feet from the plain; the only access being by a zigzag road cut in the face of the cliff, with a gateway defended by a gun, and loopholed walls at each turn, and with a very strong wall all round the edge of the rock. The garrison, they had l

the guide said that there was no place nearer where th

mmunication with the girls, and left the wood with one of the native guides. The disguises were not meant to deceive close investigation, and no attempt was ma

ey had received of it. Gradually-keeping always at a distance, and availing themselves as far as possible of c

s have done what seemed impossible in India; but the difficulties would be so enormous, the risk of failure so great, and the loss certainly so crushing, that I should not be justified in undertaking such a desperate adventure on my own responsibility, and for my own private ends. We have no right, boys, to cause the loss of some thirty or forty of these fine young fellows, even to rescue the girls. An attack by surprise is the only possibility. At present we d

ran through the further skirts of the wood, so Manners suggested to Lieutenant Simmons that he should go with ten men and

dea," Major

ners returned with his part

re, Manners?" Maj

e were two of them and two sowars, but they showed fight when we surrounded them, and tried to ride through us

o were still wearing their British uniform, and th

do with the ot

nder some bushes at a

another; take Larkin with you. You must st

summoned the captains of his two t

ts; the other two will be made welcome by the retainers. When all is quiet at night they must steal out and wait on the wall. That projecting watch-tower that overhangs the cliff on the other side would be the best. We will be below. Then a rope must be lowered. We have two long picketing ropes, either of which would be long enough, but they would be too bulky to carry in without suspicion. Our native guides, however, will soon tear up some cloth, and twist a rope not much thicker than str

ch of the party should have a light rope wound round him, so that if one, two,

for two of the troop, who had for years commanded large police districts, spoke the language as perfectly as natives, and these, upon being asked, readily acc

er wood had to be seized and bound, and it was certain that a search would be set on foot there next morning. Fortunatel

ce had his part assigned to him. The two native guides, who had themselves served as soldiers in native regiments, consented willingly to pe

had supped, were soon apparently asleep on the cushions and shawls spread for them. The rajah retired to his apartments, and his officers to their quarters; and although for another hour talking and laughing went on round the little fires in the courtyard, presently these too were hushed, and a profound stillness fell upon Nahdoor. Then, barefooted, the officers from Delhi stole out of their apartment and made for the outer wall. As they had anticipated, they found no one about; beyond a sentry at the lower gate there would be no watch kept, and they reached the watch-tower on the wall without the slightest interruption. Here two other figures had already arrived, and after throwing down some small stones as a signal, which was a

to him, "or we will put you and every soul here to the sword. The place is s

ir arms as they came out of their quarters. Orders were sent by the rajah to the men at the various gates on the hill to come up and lay down their arms,

l. Even the stir and commotion outside had not disturbed them, and they had lain quiet until they heard a loud knocking at the door of the women's apartments, followed by screams from the women, and then-they cou

greeting-"the boys, and Dunlop, and Manners. Hurry on

and thrown over the walls, and the cannon planted there were first spiked and then pitched over. The guns on the gates were similarly rendered useless, and the stores of gunpowder all wetted. The rajah a

life and that of your sons will pay forfeit. As it is, you may hope for clemency. You have as yet taken no part in the insurrection;

half-hour which was spent together in the great hall while the preparations for the departure were being made ou

ong enough t

thought I could not walk; but I am pretty strong, and if

l carry double," Captain

re been kind?" Maj

shook th

ave been talking of Del

guess what they must have su

t search them; but the threat will do. Let no insult be offered them. Then let Rivers take four men, and go in, and take all the loot you can find. The jewels we will divide among the men when at Meerut. Tell off another party to loot

m no ill-feeling," they said. "They are very

, "we will take the jewels a

circuitous route than that by which they had come, and on the fourth afternoon after leaving rode into Meerut, where their arrival after the long and successful expedition created quite an excitement. A comfortable hou