, all of whom had been promoted to the rank of
officers; by Tim Kelly and Hossein, who would not separate himself a
moment from his side, started from Ambur, with an escort of thirty
horsemen.

The rajah was quite affected at the parting; and the army, which he
had formed and organized, paraded before him for the last time, and
then shouted their farewell.

Charlie himself, although glad to return among his countrymen, from
whom he had been nearly two years separated, was yet sorry to leave
the many friends he had made. His position was now a very different
one from that which he held when he left Madras. Then he was a newly
made lieutenant, who had distinguished himself, indeed, under Clive,
but who was as yet unknown save to his commander, and who was as poor
as when he had landed, eighteen months before, in India. Now he had
gained a name for himself, and his successful defence of Ambur had
been of immense service to the Company. He was, too, a wealthy man;
for the presents in money, alone, of the rajah, had amounted to over
twenty-five thousand pounds; a sum which, in these days, may appear
extraordinary, but which was small to that frequently bestowed, by
wealthy native princes, upon British officers who had done them a good
service. Clive himself, after his short campaign, had returned to
England with a far larger sum.

For several days, the party rode through the hills without incident;
and on the fifth day they saw, stretched at their feet, a rich flat
country dotted with villages, beyond which extended the long blue line
of the sea. The distance was greater than Charlie imagined, and 'twas
only after two days' long ride that he reached Calicut, where he was
received with great honor by the rajah, to whom the leader of the
escort brought letters of introduction from the Rajah of Ambur.

For four days Charlie remained as his guest, and then took a passage
in a large native vessel, bound for Ceylon, whence he would have no
difficulty in obtaining passage to Madras.

These native ships are very high out of water, rising considerably
towards the stem and stern, and in form they somewhat resemble the
Chinese junk; but are without the superabundance of grotesque
painting, carving, and gilding which distinguish the latter. The rajah
accompanied Charlie to the shore, and a salute was fired, by his
followers, in honor of the departure of the guest.

The weather was lovely, and the clumsy craft, with all sail set,