ent, his head and neck forward, and his
shadow cast by the sun on the white pavement--exactly that of a laden
camel.

On he came, nearer and nearer, but so well-drilled in his work that he
seemed to see nothing but the pavement, which glistened in the bright
sunshine, as he spread the water in ring after ring, splashing his brown
feet and legs at every turn.

At last he was right beneath me without there appearing to be the most
remote possibility of his being Dost; and in spite of the cleverness of
his disguise as the fakir, I gave up my idea, when a voice in a whisper
said--

"Be of good cheer, master; there is help coming."

"Dost!" I ejaculated aloud, and as the man started violently, I stepped
back from the window, feeling sure that my voice would bring some one
into the room.

I was quite right, for I had hardly left the window when the curtain was
drawn aside, and Salaman entered.

"Yes. Quick; bring me something to eat."

He salaamed, and passed behind the curtain, while I followed, and saw
him draw aside the purdah at the next doorway, the momentary glimpse I
had showing me a group of armed men on guard, so that, if I had any
doubts before, there was room for none now.

I went back and glanced through the window again, just in time to see
the two bheesties join again, and slowly march out with their empty
skins to fetch more water.

I was in the act of turning away wondering whether by any possibility
Dost would be able to make his way to me when it was dark, and with my
heart beating fast, hoping that he would have designed some way of
escape, when my heart gave another bound, and I ran to the window to
thrust out my head and listen, for unmistakably, although at some
distance off, came the quick dull thud of a cannon.

"Hah!" I ejaculated, as I saw in my imagination the men serving the
guns, and in my own mind making certain that it was one of Brace's
six-pounders.

"How glorious!" I cried; "one of the pieces he carried off turned upon
him now."

"My lord is glad there is fighting?" said a voice behind me; and I saw
that Salaman had come quickly up behind, and he now pointed to where the
meal I had asked for had been placed upon the matting.

I frowned, but made no answer, as I walked to the spot where the repast
was spread, and I had hardly seated myself, with the two attendants who
had brought in the food standing before me, when I heard another report,
and then, slowly and steadily th