eep on making so sturdy a
defence as should lure the rajah's army on to a long pursuit, leading
them right away from the town, which was then to be attacked by Colonel
Vincent's force while the greater part of the rajah's men were away.

This had all been carried out. The retreating party would be by this
time retiring or holding its ground, and as soon as it was day, if the
rajah's men had not heard of the defeat through the fugitives from the
town, they would be attacked, and taken between two fires.

"But ought you not to advance at once, father?" I said. "Your men are
flushed with success, and you are sure of meeting the enemy as he comes
back."

He clapped me on the shoulder.

"Good!" he said, looking at me proudly. "Quite right, if the men were
fresh, but they are worn out with marching, fighting, and want of food.
They must have a few hours' rest."

"But if the rajah, with his fugitives, meets the returning force, and
they come back and attack us?"

"Let them," said my father drily. "I wish they would, and save us a
long march to-morrow morning."

"But," I said, hesitating, and afraid to hear the news, in case it
should be very bad, "mother and sister Grace?"

We had by this time entered the palace, and naturally I had led my
father to the room I had occupied.

He looked very hard and stern as he drew a long deep breath.

"They are in God's hands," he said.

"Not dead, father?" I cried wildly.

"Heaven forbid, boy!" he said excitedly. "I was summoned away with all
who could be spared, to form a junction with the --nth and Brace's
troop. My orders were to take command, break up any bands which were
collecting, and to keep an eye on Ny Deen, who has been a perfect
firebrand through the country. I left as strong a garrison as I could
at Nussoor, the place fairly provisioned and armed, and all the women
and children are shut up in the Residency. But since I have been away
with my little force I have had no communication with the place. We
have been completely cut off, and it has been impossible to send or
bring news."

"Then you know nothing of Nussoor?"

"Nothing."

"But have you sent messengers?"

"At least a dozen, Gil, my boy."

"How far is it?"

"About sixty miles from here--perhaps seventy. Once this maharajah is
taken, we shall go to the relief of the place."

Just then there was a loud shouting, and my father sent an orderly for
news; but the cause of the noise was announ