ar, followed by the sergeant and me.

"A short muster, but enough," said Brace. "Now, my lads, I propose to
rest here for a couple of hours, then to march back to Rajgunge and
reconnoitre the barracks when all is quiet. We may pick up one or two
of our men, and, if fortunate, get the officers' horses. Break off. We
are out of sight here. Mr Haynes, post sentries. The others will try
to get a couple of hours' sleep. Silence!"

In five minutes the sentries were posted and the officers lay down near
the men, while we three talked in whispers about our chances of success,
Brace having left us to begin steadily pacing up and down as if working
out his plans.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

At the appointed time the men fell in, rested a little, no doubt, but
not one had slept, and after a few words respecting the importance of
silence, Brace placed himself at their head, whispered to me to come to
his side, and the word was given--_March_!

It was a strange, weird tramp along the deserted road, for not a soul
was encountered; but as we drew nearer, the lights in the city were
many, and from the noise and drumming it was evident that there were
festivities in progress, possibly rejoicings among the natives at the
fall of the British rule.

But as we got on to lower ground the illuminations disappeared, and
Brace pointed out that the part in the direction of our barracks seemed
to be all dark.

But we could, of course, make out little at that distance, and as we
neared the river, Brace struck off to the right, so as to avoid the
houses as much as possible, his intention being, he said, to get round
till we were about opposite to our quarters, and then march boldly and
silently on.

"The probabilities are," he said, "that at this hour of the night we
shall not meet a soul."

About this time he called up the sergeant and questioned him, but there
was little more to be communicated. Apparently there had been very
little plundering; the party led by Ny Deen having its one important
object in view--the capture of the horses, guns, and ammunition; and
after cutting down those who resisted, and securing the rest in their
quarters, they had busied themselves over their task, and marched out in
triumph.

"But I'm expecting, sir, that when we get back we shall find that the
mob from the bazaar has been busy, and plundered and burned the whole
place; and if so--"

He stopped short.

"Well, speak up, man. What do you mea