Draw Swords! Part 38

There was no end to the suppositions, for the lad's brain had suddenly become terribly active, and was suggesting a whole series of phantasmic dangers, every one of which seemed bad enough to drive him to despair.

In fact, d.i.c.k was getting fast into the state ordinarily called "losing his nerve," and he started as if he had been guilty of some crime when, after watching him for some time unseen, Acting-lieutenant Stubbs suddenly uttered a short, gruff cough.

d.i.c.k looked at him wildly.

"Did you speak?" he said, making an effort to be firm, and succeeding, for the fancies which had troubled him grew faint.

"No, sir; only waiting to see if you had any orders for me."

"No," replied d.i.c.k, giving a cough to clear his throat; "I don't think there is anything more to be done until Mr Wyatt returns."

"Beg pardon, sir, but Captain Hulton is down, and Mr Wyatt naturally takes command of the battery. It is only a question of a natural promotion being confirmed. Wouldn't it be better to speak of the commanding officer as Captain Wyatt now?"

"Would it?" said d.i.c.k.

"I think so, sir; it would be better before the men."

"But it seems like taking Captain Hulton's rank from him now he is in trouble and giving it to another."

"Oh, no, sir--not at all. Here's Captain Hulton shot down after bringing his troop safe through a retreat after a gallant fight. He won't want his captain's t.i.tle any more. You may take it for certain that he'll be Major Hulton now."

"I see," said d.i.c.k quietly. "Very well, then, I do not see that there is anything more to be done till Captain Wyatt returns."

Stubbs coughed and stared. "Yes?"

"Beg pardon, sir. Not from any wish to interfere, but I've been opening my eyes and ears a good deal since I came here."

"Well, and what have you seen and heard?"

"Just enough to make me understand that the Rajah and some of his people want to be good friends with us."

"Yes; he said so."

"While his mother, all the Brahmins, and the people who believe them would like to cut our throats."

"Yes, Stubbs; there is no doubt a division of opinion."

"Which means a house divided against itself, sir--enemies in camp as well as outside."

"I'm afraid so."

"Well, Mr Darrell, under the circ.u.mstances, and as I'm made an officer, _pro tempry_, as they call it, perhaps it wouldn't be out of place if I made a sort of suggestion."

"Not at all, Stubbs," replied d.i.c.k, pulling himself a little more together. "I shall be glad to hear anything you have to say. Of course, I am not obliged to follow your advice?"

"Cer-_tain_-ly not, sir. I only say what I do because I've been seeing what the people out here are like for the last twenty years."

"Exactly. Well, what is it?"

"Only this, sir. Some of them with brains take to the English--you know, and including Scotch and Irish too--while the others, the benighted ones, taught by their idol-worshipping old priests, hate us like poison."

"Yes, I know; and they're not to be trusted."

"That's it, sir. Consequently, you never know when there may be a rush.

It's just as likely as not that, when you least expect it, a mob may come down upon you and never give you a chance."

"You believe there's a prospect of something of the kind now?" said d.i.c.k quickly.

"I think there's always a chance of it, sir; and it makes me venture to say that if I was in command here, shut up in what is half an enemy's city, I wouldn't trust to a couple of sentries at the gate. You see, if we were rushed the enemy'd do a lot of mischief before we could rally and hold part of the place."

"You'd double the sentries again, then, Stubbs?" said d.i.c.k quickly.

"No, sir. I wouldn't wish to be with braver chaps than ours are, but the sort of thing I want to guard against would take place before you could say 'Jack Robinson.' And what could four of ours do against a mob of men armed with knives, who think nothing of being killed, because their priests teach that if they've only killed a few infidels--meaning us--they'll be as right as a trivet?"

"You'd double them again?" said d.i.c.k.

"No, sir, I wouldn't. I'd do something much easier, and then have one sentry so as to spare the men."

"What do you mean?"

"Simplest thing in the world, sir," said Stubbs--"I'd shut the big gates."

"Of course. How stupid! Go and give orders for them to be closed at once."

Stubbs tightened his lips and shook his head. "Not now? Look suspicious?"

"Do it directly, sir: but you give the orders sharp yourself, and as if you meant business. The men will like it. You've no idea how they notice that sort of thing, sir, and what a deal they think of an officer who seems to be always on the _kwee weeve_ to keep them out of danger.

It gives 'em confidence, sir, and they work twice as well. That's why our troop's so smart--the men believe in their officers."

"Thank you, Stubbs," said d.i.c.k quietly. "Yes? You were going to say something else?"

"Which I were, sir. What do you say to ordering out the squads o'

number one and two, letting 'em unlimber and turn the guns to command the gateway, then load up with grape, and dismiss all but two men with lighted linstocks. You could do with one sentry at the gate then, and take a couple from the roof to balance it."

"Yes, excellent," said d.i.c.k; and the next minute the orders were being given in as manly a tone as the lad could command, the gates were closed and barred, the men summoned, the guns run into position and loaded, and all dismissed save two who stood close to the breeches of the bright pieces, armed with their linstocks, each a smouldering spark.

Everything was gone through with the greatest alacrity; and as the men went back to their barrack-room one of them said to a comrade:

"Well, talk about old head on young shoulders!"

"Ah," said the other. "He's a sharp un, and no mistake."

"He is," said the first man. "I say, you know what the n.i.g.g.e.rs believe in?"

"Everything. See that great copper idol in the temple just yonder?"

"What--of the fat chap with the elephant's head? Yes; but that isn't what I mean. 'Temsy chosy,' they call it--'bout a man always being on the change after he's dead, and coming out something else."