red by
the British, and that Tippoo himself was killed. A feeling akin to
stupefaction was excited by the news; and it seemed, at first, that
it must be false, for it was incredible that Tippoo, with so strong
an army, should have been unable to defend the fortress that, as
was believed, could withstand any attack, however formidable, for
four months.

[Illustration: As he rode through the streets he saw . . . how
fierce a feeling of resentment had been excited by the news.]

The rajah sent at once, to ask Harry to visit him. As he rode
through the streets he saw, by the scowling faces of the Mahommedan
soldiers, how fierce a feeling of resentment had been excited by
the news that the native officer had brought in, a few minutes
before. The rajah was deeply agitated.

"Have you heard the news, sahib?"

"I have, Rajah."

"And do you think it possible?"

"Perfectly; indeed, I have been expecting it for some days, but I
supposed the English general needed time to bring in provisions
from the country round, to form his plans, and construct his
batteries."

"To me it is astounding!" the rajah said, walking up and down the
room.

"Of course," Harry said, "the proposal that I made to you cannot
now be carried out; and I do not feel myself justified, under the
changed position of things, in continuing the negotiations."

"I always intended to help the English," the rajah went on.

"No doubt, Rajah. I have noticed, for some time, that you have been
gathering a large force here; but you have given me no indication
for what purpose it was intended."

"It was intended, of course, for service with the English," the
rajah said, "and it would have been set in motion, as soon as the
negotiations were completed."

"At any rate, Rajah, in spite of the temptations offered you by
Tippoo, you have remained neutral. This will be considered in your
favour, and I can assure you that there will be no breach in the
friendship between yourself and the English; matters will merely
remain as they were, before this war commenced."

"Except that the Nizam will become more powerful than before," the
rajah said.

"That will no doubt be so, for he will certainly take a
considerable share of Tippoo's dominions. But that need not trouble
you. I know the desire of the Governor General has always been for
peace. He was driven into this war, by the failure of Tippoo to
carry out his undertaking to release all European prisoners in his
h