layed strange pranks, possibly
because I was still so weak.

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX.

The rajah came upon me suddenly the next day, just when I was most
disturbed, and had been lying down here and there, poring over that note
with the strange characters till my head ached, and yet I was no nearer
a solution. It was, I knew, a warning to be ready to escape, or to tell
me that my friends were near, but not a bit nearer could I get.

I was under the big tree, still puzzling it out, and abusing the
Brandscombe professors for not teaching me better, and making me able to
decide whether this was modern Hindustani, Sanscrit, or Persian. I felt
that I ought to know, but not a word could I make out, so as to be sure,
when all at once I heard the familiar trampling of horses in the
distance, and hurriedly thrust the scrap of paper into my pocket, before
leisurely changing my position; for I always felt that some one was
watching me.

This was a fact; for whenever Salaman was off that duty, one or other of
his men took it up, though, to do them justice, it was as much to be on
the alert to see whether I wanted anything as to mind that I did not
escape.

There was a good deal more noise and jingling of accoutrements this
time; and as I listened eagerly, but assuming perfect unconcern, the
trampling increased to such an extent that, from thinking first that it
was a troop which formed the rajah's escort, my estimate rose to a
squadron, a regiment, two regiments; and then I gave it up, wondering
and in doubt whether my captor had come to make one of his calls.

At this I began to feel a little excited. Perhaps this was, after all,
the meaning of the message I had received, and friends were coming.
This idea was strengthened by a show of excitement among my attendants,
who were hurrying here and there. But it was an excitement which calmed
down directly, for they stood ready to receive the visitor, who was
preceded by a party of about a dozen fierce-looking mounted men on
splendid horses. They were well set up military-looking fellows, fully
armed, and having lances, but were evidently not ordinary soldiers,
their turbans being of rich stuff, and one and all wearing handsome
shawls.

They formed up on either side of the opening among the trees, through
which they had ridden, reining back their horses so as to allow room for
their leader to ride into the place; and as he cantered quickly in, and
threw himself lightly from