Gil the Gunner Part 35

"_L'homme propose, et Dieu dispose_, Gil," said Brace, quietly. "So we have run the rajah to earth, eh? Then the next best thing is to keep our men out of sight, Gil, eh?" he continued cheerily. "Dost, you will be faithful to us, I know. Perhaps we shall not all be swept out of the country. Now then, cautiously," he said. "Hah, yes, they have sentries placed. Rajah Syce is no fool. It was a clever, well-contrived scheme, but he will have to work hard to keep those guns, Gil. Now, three hours for rest and food; we must get strength, if we are to succeed."

"Have you a plan yet?" I said as we walked on in the shade of the trees.

"None as yet. The only thing I have been planning is to make sure those sepoy prisoners do not betray us. The rest will come."

Half an hour later we were back in our little camp, where Haynes had sentries placed, and our evening meal ready.

"Any luck?" he said, in a tired voice.

"Yes," said Brace; "we have been watching a review of our troop. We have run the enemy to his lair."

"And what next?"

"Hah! we must settle that after a sleep," said Brace, and I stared at him in astonishment, he seemed so cheerful and calm.

CHAPTER NINETEEN.

I sat talking to Craig that evening as the poor fellow was indulged by the doctor with his pipe.

"Are you in much pain?" I said.

"Yes, sir; horrible--in my head."

"I'll soak my handkerchief, and lay it across your forehead," I said, rising.

"No, no, sir; that will do no good," he replied, laughing. "It's mental pain, because I'm so helpless. I want to be on my legs again, and then on a horse. It's horrible being carried about as I am, and in every one's way."

"Be patient," I said. "You're a hale, hearty man, and will soon recover."

"I should, sir, if I could be of any use," he said sadly.

To divert his attention, poor fellow, I told him of the scene we had witnessed, and he listened to it all eagerly, sometimes giving vent to an angry e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.n, sometimes laughing, and then looking at me apologetically.

"I beg your pardon, sit," he said; "but I couldn't help laughing to hear of their blundering about like that."

"But it's no joke, Craig."

"No, sir; but it all goes to show that this business has been a long time hatching, and it means more trouble than you gentlemen think for, sir."

"You think so--that the mutiny is widespread?"

"I think, sir, and I've often thought so before, that if the native princes ever had a chance, they would make a fight for the country. I may be wrong, but I believe that they've been plotting all this for years, and now the fire has begun, it's running all through the country, and unless the English look sharp, the land of India is gone for ever."

"And we are so helpless here," I said; "unable to do anything."

"Don't you talk like that, sir; you and Mr Brace are doing your best.

The captain is following the enemy up to get back the guns and horses, of course?"

I nodded.

"And the job is how to get them," he continued, thoughtfully.

I nodded again.

"I've got nothing to do but lie here and think. I'll see if I can't scheme a way. It can only be done by a trick."

"I'm afraid not," I said.

"Only to think of Ny Deen turning out to be a big rajah, sir. Well, he always seemed a curious sort of fellow to me. He's a clever one, that's certain and the captain has his work cut out to deal with a fox of that kind. He will not fight, and he will be off if you show yourselves.

He'll wait till he has drilled his fellows into being smart with the guns and till then you'll get no fight out of him. Why, Mr Vincent, that man will do no end of mischief by-and-by with the guns. How would it be to--"

"Eh? Come, come, my man, this will not do," said the doctor, walking up. "You're getting hot and feverish. There, put away that pipe, and have a good long sleep."

"Let me say one word, sir, please," pleaded Craig.

"Quick, then. What is it?" and as I leaned eagerly forward to hear what plan he had to propose, Craig said quietly--

"I'm a bit in doubt about my bearers, sir. There's a good deal of whispering going on. They know that we are near their friends, and if they communicate it may mean mischief, or else another long weary tramp, for the enemy will retreat."

"Yes, I'll tell Captain Brace," I said; and I went away meaning to ask Craig his plan the next day.

As I went across to where our quarters were, under a tree, I came upon young d.i.c.k Dobbs, our trumpeter, busy with a bit of rag and some powder, polishing away at his bugle, and I nodded to the happy-looking bright-faced lad.

"That's right," I said; "keep it bright."

"I will, sir," he said, raising the instrument to his lips. "Oh, I should like to have a good blow."

"And blow all poor Brace's schemes to the winds," I said to myself. "I wonder what Craig's plan is."

The next minute I was telling Brace of Craig's suspicions.

"Hum, yes," he cried. "That's a good man, Craig. I'd give something for him to be well and strong again. I'll go and speak to the bearers, and double their guard. It would be ruin if they communicated with the enemy now."

He went and gave the necessary orders, returned, and after making arrangements for our bivouac that night, Dost was summoned to a consultation, the result being that the Hindu stole off as soon as it was dark, and did not return for some hours.

Haynes was sleeping, and after lying down for a time enjoying the comparative coolness of the air, and listening to the peculiar noises in the forest, wondering the while whether any stray tiger might be on the prowl, I rose and went to where Brace was sitting.

"You!" he said. "Why are you not asleep?"

"I can't go off," I replied. "I'm uneasy about Dost."

"So am I," replied Brace. "He does not come back. I hope he is faithful."

"I feel sure he is," I cried.

"Not so loud, my lad," he whispered. "We are deep in the forest, but sound pa.s.ses far on a night like this. Yes, I think he is faithful; but he belongs to another people, and if he thinks that his people are about to get the upper hand, it is too much to expect him to stand fast by an alien race."