ful that the casualties had been so few.

The moments of rest and refreshment now being enjoyed were most needful,
and it was wonderful to see how restorative the simple draught of water
and handful of bread seemed, the men brightening up and looking ready
directly after.

Meanwhile scouts were sent out, and skirmishers took advantage of every
depression to hold ready for the enemy's advance, though, after a time,
this looked doubtful, for, after drawing up his men, as if for an
immediate attack, Ny Deen had halted and waited the advance of the fresh
corps of cavalry to strengthen his hand in that direction.

It meant an addition of about three hundred men to his forces; but it
gave us little cause for anxiety, the general opinion being that the
sowars would not face us; the only cause for alarm being in the event of
the foot giving way, when their pursuit might prove terrible.

While we waited, the ammunition-waggon was brought up, and our
ammunition chests refilled, to make up for the vast waste, Brace taking
care that an extra supply of grape and canister should be placed in the
boxes, both on the gun-carriages and the limbers. The cartridge-boxes
of the men in the foot regiment, too, had been repacked, and now,
rested, refreshed, and ready for action, all waited for the attack which
was still delayed.

We were drawn up at a little distance from the patch of trees, our troop
having, of course, a perfectly free hand to advance, retire, or harass
the enemy, as seemed best to our leader; and Brace sat watching
anxiously the sowars lying between us and the town, while Haynes kept
sweeping the plain on the other side of the tope for the enemy's
cavalry, but without avail, a patch or two of forest effectually
screening their advance.

All at once the colonel cantered up to Brace.

"Do you see what they mean?" he cried, and, as Brace looked at him
wonderingly, he continued, "There's some one at the head of affairs
there with his head screwed on the right way. He is waiting for night
before attacking."

"So as to make my guns of half the service," said Brace, quickly.

"Exactly!"

They were both silent for a few moments, and sat gazing at the rajah's
forces.

"Then we must take the initiative," said Brace, sharply.

"That is what I have come to say," cried the colonel, quickly. "It
seems," he added in a lower tone, "daring, half mad; but we have right
on our side, and the scoundrels, with all their hatred,