it should be cleared and the doors
guarded.

Meantime, to loosen the congested mass, it was cavalry to the
front--thankful for movement at last.

There was a rush and a scuffle. Scattered groups bolted into the city.
Others broke away and streamed down from the high ground into the open
plain, sowars in pursuit; rounding them up, shepherding them back to
their by-lanes and rabbit-warrens.

"How does it feel to be a sheep-dog?" Lance asked Roy, as he cantered
up, dusty and perspiring. "A word from the aeroplanes would do the
trick. Good God! _Look_ at them----!"

Roy looked--and swore under his breath. For the half-dispersed thousands
were flowing together again like quicksilver. The whole Hira Mundi
region was packed with a seething dangerous mob, completely out of hand,
amenable to nothing but force.

And now from the doors of the Mosque fresh thousands, inflamed by
fanatical speeches, were swarming across the open plain to join them,
flourishing their _lathis_ with threatening gestures and cries....

It was a sight to shake the stoutest heart. Armed, they were not; but
the _lathi_ is a deadly weapon at close quarters; and their mere numbers
were overwhelming. Roy, by this time, was sick of their everlasting
yells; their distorted faces full of hate and fury; their senseless
abuse of 'tyrants,' who were exercising a patience almost superhuman.

An order was shouted for the troops to turn and hold them. Carnegie, of
the police, dashed off to the head of the column that was nearing the
gate of exit; and the cavalry lined up in support of Mr Elton, who still
exhorted, still tried to make himself heard by those who were determined
not to hear.

Directly they moved forward, there was a fierce, concerted rush;
_lathis_ in the forefront, bricks and stones hurtling, as at Anarkalli,
but with fiercer intent.

A large stone whizzed past the ear of an impassive Sikh Ressaldar; half
a brick caught Roy on the shoulder; another struck Suraj on the flank
and slightly disturbed his equanimity.

While Roy was soothing him, came a renewed rush, the crowd pushing
boldly in on all sides with evident intent to cut them off from the
rest.

The line broke. There was a moment of sickening confusion. A howling
man, brandishing a _lathi_, made a dash at Roy, a grab at his charger's
rein....

One instant his heart stood still; the next, Lance dashed in between,
riding-crop lifted, unceremoniously hustling Roy, and nearly overset