Draw Swords! Part 45

But by degrees, as the objects undescribed grew less, the old Brahmin's remarks became more friendly and confidential, and he began to make allusions to their first meeting at the Rajah's palace.

"Ah," he said, "it is not long ago, but in a short time one learns so much. I looked upon you then--you and your brother-officers and people--as being terrible enemies of our religion. We had been told that you would come and ruin and destroy and take away all the treasures of the temple here. And then I hated you, and felt that it would be a good and pious thing to destroy all your lives, while now we have all lived to find that the treasures of the temple have been respected and remain untouched, and that the Rajah was right--that the English really are our friends."

d.i.c.k listened and made suitable replies, and went on conversing with the smooth-tongued old Brahmin, but all the time he recalled Wyatt's doubts and the terrible words he had heard that morning from Hanson; while, as they pa.s.sed on and on through the semi-darkness, he could not help feeling how easily a blow from one of the keen Indian knives would lay him low, and how easily his body might be disposed of among the dark, labyrinthine ways of the huge temple. These thoughts, at times when they were pa.s.sing through some of the most gloomy parts, were appalling; but, so sure as they came to the worst, they died out again, for he had but to glance round, and there, following him like his shadow, was the tall figure of Robert Hanson--well-armed, active, and determined--ready, if the need arose, to fight for him to the death.

Perhaps he felt the horror of his position the most when they were traversing a gallery sixty or seventy feet above the floor, one which led past the huge head and neck of the monstrous idol, and a door at the back of the figure.

For here the young officer could not help feeling how easily he might be hurled over, to fall and be dashed to pieces on the floor far below, or thrust through some one of the several openings which, for some purpose, yawned around. But, as before, there was always Robert Hanson, calm and silent, following like his shadow, and ready to give good account of any one who might venture to attack.

No one could have been more courteous than the dark-eyed, smooth, swarthy man at his side, nor more open and free in his way of speaking about the huge image and the attendant idols upon which they looked down. He seemed to wish to impress his young English companion with the idea that the temple, with its weird gloom and a.s.sumption of mystery, was merely intended to overawe the common people, and that he was too much a man of the world to expect an Englishman from his land of enlightenment to look upon all he saw as serious.

But somehow he impressed d.i.c.k in a way he did not intend, for, as they went along the silent, echoing gallery, the young officer felt more and more that his guide was treacherous and untrustworthy to the last degree--a man who, in spite of his sacred office, would proceed to any extremity to get rid of people who stood in his way. So that it was with a feeling of relief that he descended once more to the floor of the great temple, and upon being ushered into one of the rooms used by the Brahmin priesthood, who dwelt in a part of the building, he did not at all enjoy the sweetmeats and fruit provided for his refection, nor fancy a sweetish kind of wine given him in a quaint Indian cup.

At last he was conducted to the temple gates, Hanson still following close behind, the Brahmin begging him to come again, as it was his wish now that the English officers should look upon him and his brethren as their friends.

"I wish you would teach the people to feel towards us in the same way,"

said d.i.c.k, smiling and trying, now they were once more in the bright sunshine, to look upon the ideas which had coursed through his brain as fancies.

"We are trying," said the Brahmin; "but the people are very weak and ignorant, and you must see that, after being taught for so long to look upon the English as infidels and enemies, it must take time."

They parted apparently the best of friends, and d.i.c.k was walking back towards his quarters, when, in turning a corner, he looked sharply round and saw that Hanson was watching him intently; and, if he had been asked, he would have found it impossible to have explained why he asked his follower the following question, but ask it he did:

"Could you hear what the Brahmin said to me as I took leave?"

"Every word, sir."

"What did you think of it?"

"That I'd trust him as far as I would a tiger."

"Then it was not all fancy on my part," thought d.i.c.k as he went on. "I was right in my impressions, and I'll trust him as far as I would one of the great savage cats; but I must be civil, I suppose."

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.

SLEEPING WITH YOUR WINDOW OPEN.

As soon as the Rajah was satisfied that his invading neighbour had quite withdrawn, he consulted with Wyatt, and expressed a wish that no further troops should be sent to Soojeepur until he made the demand.

"You and your men will be sufficient," he said; and after a short consultation with Hulton--very short, for the latter said that his brother-officer was to act as he thought best--arrangements were made with the Rajah for runners to bear a despatch to the nearest town on the frontier, where the regular communications for postal purposes could be reached.

In this despatch Wyatt gave a full account of all that had taken place, with reports of the state of the wounded and their needs, giving his opinion that the Rajah seemed to expect the troop to remain at Soojeepur permanently, and concluding with a request for a further supply of ammunition for the guns, the large use made of that which they had brought suggesting that, if the little force should remain where it was for a long period, the store might run short.

The reply to this despatch was long in coming, and in the interim matters went on with fresh displays of friendly trust on the part of the Rajah, who was daily in communication with the old palace, and constantly consulting the English officers as to improvements in his little army: but every now and then insignificant straws showed which way the wind blew, and the strangers felt that their position was, like that of the Rajah, insecure. For, though the party opposed to the friendly feeling towards the English was deferential and, to all appearance, quite in accordance with their ruler now, and the officers among them made much of the visitors, neither Wyatt nor d.i.c.k allowed themselves to be lulled into a state of security which, they felt sure, did not exist.

Hence it was that the horse artillery corps occupied its quarters in the old palace just as if it were a tiny army of occupation. It had its parades and marches out, joined in military evolutions with the Rajah's regiments of horse and foot, to the decided improvement of the latter, the officers and men being impressed by the perfection to which discipline and training had brought them, and beginning to imitate them in every way they could, to the Rajah's great and liberally expressed satisfaction.

The return despatch came at last from Sir George Hemsworth, announcing his satisfaction with all that had been done, his hope that Captain Hulton was sufficiently recovered to resume his command, and quite agreeing that there would be no need for the reinforcement, which had been already on the way, but was now recalled. For the general considered that there must be plenty of material amongst the Rajah troops for drilling into shape, especially among the irregular hors.e.m.e.n, who ought, without much effort, soon to be turned into serviceable cavalry.

Finally, the general announced that the ammunition asked for was on the way, with an escort of twelve horse artillery-men, ten privates, and two drill-sergeants, who would strengthen the little force, and allow of the two non-commissioned officers being devoted to the training of the Rajah's horse.

This despatch, directed to the officer in command, was read aloud by Wyatt to Hulton and the doctor in the former's room.

"No," said Hulton querulously, "I'm not fit to take over the command, and I shall not be for long enough--shall I, Doctor?"

"Well, hardly yet, my dear boy," was the reply: "and there is no need.

I was obliged to get back to my work, in spite of Darrell proving such a formidable rival, but you can wait."

"Well, read the rest," said Hulton in an irritable tone.

"The rest?" said Wyatt, with a.s.sumed innocency.

"Yes; no nonsense," said Hulton bitterly; "you are keeping something back."

Wyatt hesitated for a moment or two, and then tossed the paper to d.i.c.k.

"You finish it, lad," he said.

d.i.c.k glanced from one to the other with his face flushing and eyes lighting up, for, like Hulton, he had expected something more.

"Yes," he cried eagerly, "of course Wyatt is promoted to captain."

Hulton's brow wrinkled, and his pale, thin face looked more sunken as he winced as if from a sting of pain, but for some moments he did not speak. Then a faint smile began to appear on his face, and he said sadly:

"I couldn't help feeling a bit upset, but I am not envious, Wyatt; only a weak, sick man. Shake hands, old fellow. I congratulate you. It was very bravely earned."

Wyatt eagerly gripped the extended hand.

"I can't help it, old chap," he said huskily. "I'd rather they had given you your majority--but it's bound to come."

"If I live," said Hulton sadly.

"I'll answer for that," said the doctor. "Only it must take time. Ten men out of twelve would have sunk under such injuries as yours, so no grumbling. You've done and you're doing wonders. Wait a bit, and we'll congratulate you in turn as we do Captain Wyatt. Darrell, you ought to go and announce this to the Rajah."

"No, no. Nonsense!" cried Wyatt excitedly. "I'll tell him myself next time we meet."

"You will not," said Hulton, "for I shall send him word myself. He ought to know. Write to him, Darrell, for me, and I'll sign the letter."

Wyatt made a bit of a protest, and then was silent, the letter being written and despatched by an orderly, who brought back a message that the Rajah would come and see Captain Wyatt.

The latter gentleman's countenance was so absurdly comical that, as soon as the orderly had gone back to the stables, d.i.c.k burst into a roar of laughter, whereupon Wyatt turned to him fiercely.

"Look here, young fellow," he cried, "do you want to quarrel?"

"Of course not."

"Then don't you laugh at me. It's no joke, I can tell you."