and then returned to say that a
palanquin and bearers were waiting if I wished to go out about the
gardens and park.

But I declined, preferring to rest for the day, and think. I really was
tired, and a seat in the shade by an open window would, I felt, be far
preferable, so I seated myself, and tried to follow up my early success
with some fresh idea that would help my escape.

I looked down into the court, and watched the goldfish and those of a
deep orange; then I looked down at the men on guard, and wondered
whether they would stop one of the servants of the palace if they saw
him walking steadily out, for that seemed to me the task before me.

I was watching the gate, and picturing myself walking boldly up to the
sentries, when I heard a familiar sound, and leaned out, as there was a
loud trampling of horses, and I knew that a regiment must be passing by.

But I could see nothing, only mentally picture what was going on as I
listened, making out that it must be a very strong body to take so long
in passing, while hardly had they gone before there came the dull
regular tramp of foot, and regiment after regiment went past I wondered
what for, and wished that my window looked right upon the road by which
they passed, knowing full well that a request to that effect would be
eagerly granted by one who would be pleased to see me taking so much
interest in his troops.

So of course I could not ask, only content myself by thinking out what
was going on--whether the men were going to some drill, or whether an
attack was imminent.

My cheeks tingled at this, and my imagination grew busy as I began to
picture the advance of some of our force. All I had been told by the
rajah vanished like mist, and with patriotic fervour I mentally declared
that England could not be beaten so easily as he supposed.

But time wore away, and as the day glided by I grew dull and
low-spirited, for I began to dread a visit.

"He has been busy with his troops," I said; "and to-night he will come
to talk to me."

I was quite right; just at dark the rajah came to greet me smilingly,
and sat down to smoke and chat as freely as if such a question as my
joining his army were quite out of the question. He seemed pleased to
find me so well, and begged me to ask for anything I wished--except
liberty--and ended by telling me how hard he had been at work all day
drilling and reviewing troops.

"They want a great deal of teaching," he said glo