rom the town. They drew rein before Charlie; and one, bowing,
said:

"My master, the rajah, sends his greeting to you, and begs to know if
you are the illustrious soldier, Nadir Ali, for whom his heart has
been longing."

"Will you tell your lord that Nadir Ali is here," Charlie said, "and
that he longs to see the face of the rajah."

One of the horsemen at once rode off, and the other took his place by
the side of Charlie; and, having introduced himself as captain of the
rajah's bodyguard, rode with him through the town.

Had Charlie appeared in his character as English officer, the rajah
and all his troops would have turned out to do honor to his arrival.
As it was, a portion of the garrison, only, appeared at the gate and
lined the walls. Through these the little party passed, and up the
sharp zigzags, which were so steep that, had it not been that his
dignity prevented him from dismounting, Charlie would gladly have got
off and proceeded on foot; for it was as much as the animal could do,
to struggle up the steep incline.

At each turn there was a gateway, with little flanking towers; on
which jingalls, or small wall pieces, commanded the road.

"Faith, then, it's no fool that built this place. I shouldn't like to
have to attack it, wid all the soldiers of the King's army, let alone
those of the Company."

"It is tremendously strong, Tim, but it is astonishing what brave men
can do."

In the after wars which England waged, in India, the truth of what
Charlie said was over and over again proved. Numerous fortresses,
supposed by the natives to be absolutely impregnable, and far
exceeding in strength that just described, have been carried by
assault, by the dash and daring of English troops.

They gained, at last, the top of the rock. It was uneven in surface,
some portions being considerably more elevated than others. Roughly,
its extent was about a hundred yards, either way. The lower level was
covered with buildings, occupied by the garrison, and storehouses. On
the upper level, some forty feet higher, stood the palace of the
rajah. It communicated with the courtyard, below, by a broad flight of
steps. These led to an arched gateway, with a wall and battlements;
forming an interior line of defence, should an assailant gain a
footing in the lower portion of the stronghold.

Alighting from his horse at the foot of the steps, Charlie, followed
by his five retainers, mounted to the gateway. Here another gua