The journey occupied five days, and was most enjoyable. The officer of
the escort, as the peishwar's agent, would have requisitioned
provisions at each of the villages; but Charlie insisted, under one
pretence or another, on buying a couple of sheep or kids at each
halting place, for the use of his own party and the escort. For a few
copper coins an abundant supply of fruit and vegetables was
obtainable; and as, each night, they spread their rugs under the shade
of some overhanging tree, and smoked their pipes lazily after the very
excellent meal which Hossein always prepared, Charlie and Tim agreed
that they had spent no pleasanter time in India than that occupied by
their journey.

Charlie was received with much honor by Ramajee Punt, and was assigned
a gorgeous tent, next to his own.

"People in England, Mister Charles," said Tim that evening, "turn up
their noses at the thought of living in tents, but what do they know
of them? The military tent is an uncomfortable thing, and as for the
gipsy tent, a dacent pig wouldn't look at it. Now this is like a
palace, with its carpet under foot, and its sides covered with silk
hangings, and its furniture fit for a palace. Father Murphy wouldn't
believe me, if I told him about it on oath. If this is making war, yer
honor, I shall be in no hurry for pace."

The Mahratta force took up its position, beleaguering the town on the
land side, some weeks before the arrival of the fleet; Commodore
James, with his two ships, blockading it at sea. There was little to
do, and Charlie accepted with eagerness an offer of Ramajee Punt, that
they should go out for two or three days' tiger hunting, at the foot
of the hills.

"Well, Mr. Charles," Tim said, when he heard of the intention, "if you
want to go tiger hunting, Tim Kelly is not the boy to stay behind. But
shure, yer honor, if the creeturs will lave ye alone, why should you
meddle with them? I saw one in a cage at Arcot, and it's a baste I
shouldn't wish to see on a lone road on a dark night. It had a way of
wagging its tail that made you feel uncomfortable like, to the sole of
yer boots; and after looking at me for some time, the baste opened its
mouth, and gave a roar that shook the whole establishment. It's a
baste safer to let alone than to meddle with."

"But we shall be up on the top of an elephant. We shall be safe enough
there, you know."

"Maybe, yer honor," Tim said doubtfully; "but I mind me that, when I
was a bo