could hardly pass as a native. The moonshee is
constantly correcting mistakes which I make, in speaking."

"That may be so," Mr. Saunders said; "but there are a score of
dialects in Southern India, and you could be passed upon nineteen of
the twenty peoples who speak them, as belonging to one of the other."

"If you think, sir, that I shall do," Charlie said; "I shall be glad
to undertake the mission."

"Very well, Mr. Marryat, that is understood, then. You will receive
full instructions in writing, and will understand that your duty is
not only to drill the troops of this chief; but to give him such
advice as may suit his and our interests; to strengthen his good
feeling towards us; and to form, as far as possible, a compact little
force which might, at a critical moment, be of immense utility. You
will, of course, master the geography of the country, of which we are
all but absolutely ignorant; find out about the passes, the mountain
paths, the defensible positions. All these things may someday be of
the highest importance.

"You will have a few days to make your arrangements, and settle as to
the character you will adopt. This you had better do, in consultation
with someone who thoroughly understands the country. It is intended
that you shall go down to Trichinopoli, with the next convoy; and from
there make your way to the stronghold of Boorhau."

"Shall I take any followers with me?"

"Yes," Mr. Saunders said. "As you will go in the character of a
military adventurer, who has served among our Sepoys long enough to
learn European drill, you had better take two, three, or four men, as
you like, with you as retainers. You might pick out two or three
trusty men, from the Sepoys you command."

Charlie left Government House in high spirits. It was certainly an
honor, to have been selected for such a post. It was quite possible
that it would be a dangerous one. It was sure to be altogether
different from the ordinary life of a subaltern in the Company's army.

Peters was very sorry when he heard from Charlie that they were, at
last, to be separated. It was now nearly two years since they had
first met on board the Lizzie Anderson; and, since that time, they had
been constantly together, and were greatly attached to each other.

Charlie, perhaps, had taken the lead. The fact of his having a stock
of firearms, and being able to lend them to Peters, had given him,
perhaps, the first slight and almost imperceptible