saye, the general sent for Harry.

"Captain Lindsay, I have a mission which you can carry out better
than any of my other officers. I wish you to make your way across
the country, to inform General Lake of the victory we have won; and
to point out that, at present, Scindia is paralysed, and will be
unable to send troops to aid his force in the northwest for, should
he do so, I shall at once enter his territory.

"Do not run the risk of returning, but tell Lord Lake that my
orders are that you shall remain with him. I do not think that we
shall have much fighting here though, no doubt, later on, Holkar
and the Rajah of Berar will reform their armies and try conclusions
with us again; while, on the other side, there is likely to be
heavy fighting. You must, of course, travel in disguise, but you
are already accustomed to that."

"I will willingly undertake the mission, sir."

"Would you like to take anyone with you?"

"I should be glad if you will give me four troopers, from one of
your native cavalry regiments. I shall, of course, ride as a petty
chief, but I might be interrupted in small villages, were I alone
with only my servant; whereas, if I had four followers, it would
appear natural to them, as even the pettiest leader is always
accompanied by a party, however small, of horsemen."

"Certainly. I will give orders to the colonel of the 1st Cavalry to
choose four well-mounted men, who can speak Mahratti. There are
many such in his regiment."

There was no difficulty about disguises, for a large quantity of
native clothing had been found in the camp. Harry chose a dress
suitable for a native in command of some fifty or sixty men; and
the four troopers attired themselves in the garments of native
soldiers, which indeed differed in no way from those worn by the
peasantry. Harry had packed his uniform in his native saddlebag;
and also his cocked hat, after taking out the stiffening so that it
would lie flat; and had exchanged his own saddle for that of one of
Holkar's horsemen. He advised the men to do the same so that, when
they joined Lord Lake, they would be able at once to appear in
uniform. There was an abundance of native swords and spears lying
where the Mahratta force had been defeated.

Abdool had at once been sent into the village, and had there
succeeded in buying some brown dye, used in colouring the clothes;
and with this Harry stained his face and hands and, two hours after
receiving the order, r