e we leant
over him, listening intently for his next words.

"Mutiny," he panted; "don't go back."

"What!" cried Brace; and I saw a movement amongst the rajah's people,
and they gathered round him.

"This morning," said Denny, faintly. "Quarters seized; Major and Mr
Barton cut down."

"Great Heavens!" cried Brace.

"Masters of the barracks--Sepoy regiment--down town--murdered their
officers--I--got away--came on, and--"

He uttered a low sigh and fainted.

"Dr Danby! You hear?"

"Yes," said the doctor, in a low voice. "What I always feared. They've
risen against us at last."

"But both regiments? Absurd!"

"No; of course our men wouldn't. And they've seized the barracks, I
gather. Brace, old fellow, we're in for it. The storm has broken."

"I don't understand you. There is trouble with the native infantry
regiment, I suppose, and some of the men have gone up and seized our
barracks. Oh, why was I not there?"

"Because you've other work to do, man," whispered the doctor. "Look at
the rajah. Brace, old fellow, we shall have to fight for our lives.
This is the first flash of the fire; the whole country is rising in
revolt."

"No, no; impossible!" said Brace. Then, turning to the rajah, he saw
that in his face which made him flash into a tempest of passion, and he
seized the double rifle he had thrown on the ground, cocked both
barrels, and advanced furiously toward the chief, while at his first
menace the men advanced, drew their tulwars, slung their shields round
from where they hung over their shoulders, or presented spears.

"You dog!" roared Brace, whose manner had completely changed. "You knew
of all this!"

The rajah waved one hand to his men, who stopped short, scowling
angrily, and with their dark eyes flashing, as, following my captain's
example, I cocked my own piece.

"Captain Brace will not fire on his host," he said, in very good
English, and I saw his nostrils quivering as he spoke and stepped
forward. "We have eaten salt and are brothers."

Brace lowered his piece and I did the same.

"Yes, I knew of it," said the rajah, quietly.

"That the men of the native regiment meant to mutiny," cried Brace, "and
did not warn us?"

"I knew and did not warn you," said the rajah, quietly.

"What treachery!"

"No," said the rajah, "not treachery. I have held my hand. I would not
join, but I could not go against the people."

"But why--why have the men mutinied?" cried Brac