age in, without the assent of the home
government. We shall, of course, write home fully upon the matter,
and shall leave the final decision to them; at the same time
expressing our own views, and giving some idea as to the force that
would have to be employed, the expenditure involved, and the time
required for the operation.

"This letter contains a reply, as far as we can give it, to the
Governor General's proposals."

"His lordship will, I am sure, be sorry to hear your views, sir;
but I imagine that he will not hesitate to undertake the work of
punishing, at least, the people of some of the islands where
outrages have taken place, as soon as affairs are sufficiently
settled in India for him to dispense, for a time, with the services
of some of the Company's ships of war."

As Harry expected, the face of the Dutch Governor showed that this
statement, when translated, was evidently most unpalatable to him.
After a moment's hesitation, however, he said:

"If Lord Mornington waits until everything is quiet in India, it
will probably be a very long time before he will be able to carry
out the operation you speak of."

"That may be, sir. I do not know whether you have heard that
Seringapatam has been captured, and that Tippoo, himself, fell in
its defence?"

A look of amazement, and even of consternation, on the part of the
Dutch officials showed that the news was as unwelcome as it was
unexpected. The loss of their hold in India, by the wonderful
spread of the British power, was an extremely sore point with them.
Nothing would have pleased them better than to have heard that the
power of the latter had been shattered.

"It is certainly news to us," the Governor said, shortly. "But
there are still other powers in India, that are likely to give at
least as much trouble as Mysore has done."

"I quite admit that," Harry said, "but have no doubt that we shall
be able to deal with them, as satisfactorily as we have done with
Tippoo; and possibly as quickly."

"That remains to be seen," the Governor said.

"Quite so, sir. I have a considerable knowledge of India, and of
its native armies; and I doubt whether any of them are as good
fighters as Tippoo's men were."

"Was Mysore taken by storm, or by famine?"

"By storm, after our batteries had opened fire, for a few days."

[Illustration: 'Well, sir, I will now return to shore,' the Governor]
said.

"Well, sir, I will now return to shore," the Governor said,