k, upon which the revenue of the Company depends; and,
altogether, render valuable services.

"Among the soldiers who came down with me is a sergeant who was at one
time a trooper in an English regiment. He exchanged to come out with
the 39th to India, and has again exchanged into the Company's service.
I would make him drill instructor, if you will give him a commission
as ensign. Peters I should like as my second in command; and, if you
approve of the plan, I should be very much obliged if you would get
him his step as captain. He's a good officer, but has not had such
luck as I have."

Colonel Lawrence was very much pleased at the idea, and gave Charlie
full authority to carry it out. The work of enlistment at once
commenced. Hossein made an excellent recruiting sergeant. He went into
the native bazaars; and by telling of the exploits of Charlie at Ambur
and Suwarndrug, and holding out bright prospects of the plunder which
such a force would be likely to obtain, he succeeded in recruiting a
hundred and fifty of his co-religionists. In those days, fighting was
a trade in India; and in addition to the restless spirits of the local
communities, great numbers of the hardy natives of northern India,
Afghans, Pathans, and others, were scattered over India, ever ready to
enlist in the service of the highest bidder. Among such men as these,
Hossein had no difficulty in obtaining a hundred and fifty picked
horsemen.

Charlie had determined that his force should consist of four troops,
each of fifty strong. Of these one would be composed of Europeans, and
he was permitted to take this number from the party he had brought
down. He had no difficulty in obtaining volunteers, for as soon as the
nature of the force was known, the men were eager to engage in it. To
this troop, the two little field pieces would be committed.

A few days after the scheme had been sanctioned, Ensign Anstey was at
work drilling the recruits as cavalry. Charlie and Peters were
instructed by him, also, in the drill and words of command, and were
soon able to assist. Two months were spent in severe work and, at the
end of that time, the little regiment were able to execute all simple
cavalry manoeuvres with steadiness and regularity. The natives were
all men who had lived on horseback from their youth, and therefore
required no teaching to ride.

They were also, at the end of that time, able to act as infantry, with
as much regularity as the ordinary