hem taking, but of course
in the reverse direction, so that if they went on far enough, they would
pass us about half a mile away.

"They're drilling," I whispered excitedly.

"Yes, drilling," cried Brace, and turning as he spoke. "Gil, lad, they
will halt here for the night."

He caught my hand in a tremendous grip, and his face lit up and his eyes
flashed with excitement as he uttered a curious laugh.

"Sit down, lad, and let's watch them," he cried mockingly. "We shall
have some lessons on the management of a troop. By George, look at the
dear old horses! They know the work so well that they are taking the
men with them. Look, Gil, there's poor Craig's grey Arab. There they
go. He wants to gallop, and that fellow has hard work to hold him in."

The troop was kept at a steady trot, and as it reached the part of the
plain facing us, we saw Ny Deen dash in front, wave his sword--a
flashing curved tulwar--and the horses were reined in, halted, and then,
after a minute's interval, during which we could hear the voice of the
leader giving orders, they advanced again, but this time at a walk,
while Ny Deen galloped on in advance, as if to map out the course he
meant the troop to take.

"The scoundrel rides well," muttered Brace, as we saw Ny Deen rein up
and throw his horse back almost on its haunches. "Pretty good that, for
a syce."

"It is the Maharajah of Ahdenpore, sahib," said Dost, who had crouched
behind us unnoticed, looking on and hearing every word we said.

"What!" cried Brace, harshly. "I can see. I know the man; Lieutenant
Barton's syce."

"Yes, sahib; but it is the great Maharajah. He came and worked as a
syce all that time, so that he might learn all about the drilling and
training of the guns. It was a plot--a cunning plot, sahib, and he was
waiting his time."

"Hah!" ejaculated Brace. "Yes. Too clever for us; but we may have our
day yet. Yes; they are drilling," he continued, as the troop wheeled
again, and began advancing toward the forest at whose edge we crouched
in hiding; but when they were about half-way toward us from the spot
where they had turned, there was another order, the troop wheeled into
line, and the men sprang down, unlimbered, the guns were trained, and we
saw slowly, but with fair regularity, the pieces brought into action,
the white-robed gunners going through the loading and firing drill,
ramming, sponging, firing, till about ten rounds had been discharged in