, to put down the tumult. He is furious that
his guests should have been attacked."

The firing presently ceased and, a quarter of an hour later, the
rajah rode in. A messenger had been despatched, at once, to inform
him that the British officer, with his escort, had arrived at the
palace. Harry and his men had dismounted, and were still standing
by their horses.

The rajah sprang from his saddle as he rode up.

"The gods be thanked that I see you safely here, my friend!" he
said. "When I arrived at your house, I feared that all was over,
for these rebels had gained possession. You must not blame me for
not arriving sooner. When the firing was heard, I feared that the
rabble of the town, aided perhaps by many of my soldiers, were
attacking you; although, until the officer who commanded the guard
I had placed there returned, I did not dream how serious the
business was. Then I got my soldiers together; but this occupied
some time, as many of them were in the town. However, as soon as a
squadron of horse was collected, and a couple of hundred infantry,
together with four guns of a battery, I headed them myself and, on
arriving, opened fire upon the mob; who speedily scattered, some
fifty or sixty of them being killed.

"Then I entered the house, expecting to find only your dead bodies,
but there were no signs of strife. I questioned some prisoners we
had taken inside; and these said that, just before I came up, a
hole had been discovered in the garden wall, and it was believed
that you had all escaped through that. I was about to ride, with
all speed, to prevent any pursuit being taken up; when a messenger
arrived with the welcome news that you had just entered the
palace."

"I thank you heartily, Rajah, for having so promptly come to my
aid; though assuredly you would have arrived too late to save us,
had we not, as soon as the fighting began, set to work to prepare a
means of escape. Once we got out, we were sure that you would
protect us, and therefore rode here and awaited your return."

"'Tis well, indeed, that you thought of that plan, sahib; for I
would not, for half my dominions, that a hair of your head should
have been hurt, while you were here as my guest."

"It has all ended fortunately, Rajah; and now, what would you
recommend me to do?"

"You had best stay here, until nightfall. I will ride, now, to the
camps of my men, to reproach them for their conduct; and to ask if
they want to bring the army