Draw Swords! Part 41

The man sighed and wisely said nothing, but thought to himself: "These English sahibs are so fierce, even when very young. He has been killing people all day--he may kill me."

But d.i.c.k was not in a killing humour; his thoughts were upon a different track--the very reverse.

"Have I hurt you?" he said more gently.

"The sahib's servant's ribs are a little sore where he was kicked, but they will get better."

"I forgot you always slept across my door. Here, show me where Sergeant Stubbs sleeps."

The man led the way with alacrity to the non-commissioned officers'

quarters, for Stubbs had kept to his old place at night, and his gruff voice responded at once to the smart rap at his door:

"All right; rouse up the trumpeter."

"No, no, Stubbs; it is I. Don't make a noise."

"You, Mr Darrell, sir! In a moment," replied the sergeant; and the next moment he presented himself, drawing on his overalls. "What is it--a night attack?"

"No, no. I just remembered as I was going to sleep. What about that train to the bag of powder?"

"Yes, sir. What about it?"

"It must not be left like that. Some one might be going there with a lantern and blowing up the whole place."

"No fear, sir," said the sergeant grimly. "I swept that all away hours ago."

"Did you? Oh, that's right. I was afraid you might have left it there."

"No, sir; I know too well what powder will do."

"Then I've woke you up with a false alarm."

"And yourself too," said the sergeant quietly. "There was no need, but there's nothing like making sure."

"No, there's nothing like making sure. Good-night, Sergeant."

"Good-night, sir."

d.i.c.k felt foolish, but decidedly more comfortable, as he went down into the courtyard, closely followed by his white-coated servant. But, being there, he thought he might as well go along close to the wall, and come suddenly upon the two men on sentry at the gate, to make sure that they were well on the alert.

He had proof of it directly, for before he had gone many steps he was challenged, and the sharp click of a carbine lock, followed apparently by the echo, brought him to a stand, to give the word and pa.s.s on to his quarters and bed.

Then the night pa.s.sed peacefully enough, and after many hours the lad rose, and began wondering, after his cold splash, to find himself fresh and free from weariness in spite of the previous day's exertions. His first visit was to his patients, where his time was well taken up till he was summoned to the morning meal, when he met Wyatt.

"What time do we parade?" was his first question.

"Don't parade," said Wyatt bluntly. "Rajah's scouts have brought in word that the enemy has withdrawn, but it's too good to be true."

"Then it is because we gave them such a flogging yesterday."

"Looks like it," said Wyatt, "but I can't believe it. I only hope it is, for I am sick of slaughtering men and horses as we did yesterday."

"We were doing our duty," said d.i.c.k.

"Yes; but it's such a horribly unpleasant duty."

"Better than for them to be slaughtering us."

"Well, yes; we think so, of course," said Wyatt. "But how is Hulton?"

"Better, certainly; Dr Robson says so."

"I hope he is; but I don't like to see him so white and with those dark marks under his eyes."

"Robson says it is only weakness."

"Then you must set to and make him strong."

Another message from the Rajah arrived soon after, with the news that the enemy were retiring; and before half-an-hour had elapsed d.i.c.k was summoned from Hulton's bedside to meet one of the ruler's chief officers, who had come to request that the two English captains, as he called them, would come on and see the Rajah at once.

"We must go, I suppose," said Wyatt aside to his young companion; "only I don't like being bothered like this." Then to the officer:

"Tell his highness we will have our horses saddled and come on soon."

"An elephant is waiting at the gate," said the officer respectfully, "and the escort with it."

Wyatt nodded, and, after summoning the acting-lieutenant and giving him his instructions, the pair mounted, and the escort led and followed.

"We may as well take the honours conferred upon us," said Wyatt, "but I would rather walk."

"Yes; I want to see some of the place."

"Never mind; we must be too grand for that. It makes the common people and the soldiery look up to us, and keeps up our prestige as much as the fighting."

Upon reaching the front of the palace, it was to find the wide court full of mounted men and scores of brilliantly accoutred officers waiting about, all of whom saluted the fresh-comers with every show of respect.

Way was made for them when they dismounted from the howdah, and they were led at once into the Rajah's council chamber, where he was seated in state, but only to rise, shake hands with his visitors, and motion them to seats placed ready.

d.i.c.k grasped at once that a council of war was being held; and the Rajah hastened to tell them that, as the enemy had evidently become disheartened by the disastrous defeat of the previous day, and was retiring to his own district, it was considered that now was the time for following him up and dealing another severe blow.

Wyatt spoke out plainly that if another such blow could be delivered it would, without doubt, be a fine thing, but his men had worked very hard on the previous day, the horses had been a good deal distressed, and it would be far better to let the enemy retreat unmolested.

"No," said the Wazir, a tall, fierce-looking man, frowning; "it is bad counsel. The enemy should be pursued at once."

"I think it is good counsel," said Wyatt quietly. "To have been effective the pursuit should have been made last night when he was disheartened; then the retreat could have been made a rout."

"Yes," said the Rajah, nodding; "that is right."

"Is the English captain afraid?" said the Wazir, with a sneer.