ut.

"As being, in a sort of way, representative of General Lake,
Colonel Monson was good enough to ask my opinion; and I quite
agreed with him that the best plan was to fall back. We believed,
of course, that we should find shelter at Kotah, but two days'
march in the rear and, had not the rajah declared for Holkar, and
shut his gates, all would have been well; for we beat off all
attacks, on our way there. It was his treachery, and that of the
commandant of Kooshalpur, that caused the disaster."

"Holkar is at Muttra, and Lake is about to march against him?"

"Yes, sir. If Holkar gives battle there he will, no doubt, be
defeated but, as this despatch will have informed you, General Lake
feared much that, as he advances, Holkar will content himself with
harassing him on the march with a cloud of horsemen while, with the
main body of his army, he marches rapidly north, to endeavour to
recapture Delhi and obtain possession of the Emperor's person. It
is to warn you of that danger that I have ridden here."

"The danger is, no doubt, serious," the Resident said; "and the
town is certainly in no position for defence. The walls are in a
most dilapidated condition, and would crumble after a few hours'
cannonade. Colonel Burns's force is wholly inadequate to defend a
city of some ten miles in circumference. The irregular troops
cannot be relied upon, in case of need. However, we must do what we
can and, as we may be sure that General Lake will hasten on with
all speed, we shall not have to hold out for many days.

"Now, Captain Lindsay, as you say that you only left Agra yesterday
morning, and have ridden some eighty miles, today, I am sure you
have need of rest. The general has told me to employ you on any
duty that I may think requisite; therefore, if you will come here
at eight o'clock tomorrow morning, I shall be glad, indeed, of your
services. Where did you leave your horses?"

"I left them at a khan, a few minutes' walk from here."

"Then if you will go down, and tell your man to bring them up, they
can be put up in the stables here. I have already ordered a room to
be prepared for you. My servants will give your man some food."

The next morning Harry, after taking the early breakfast a servant
brought to his room, went down to Colonel Ochterlony's office.

"I have not brought my uniform with me, Colonel," he said, "for I
might have been searched."

"That does not matter. Two of my escort shall ride with you