und Abdool and the troopers
all mounted, as well as a party of the rajah's own guard.

Before leaving, the rajah had returned his sword to him. As he rode
through the streets, followed by his own troopers and with the
rajah's guard riding ahead, the people looked on with curiosity,
but evinced no animosity against him. Successful as had been the
defence, the fact that the British had received great convoys and
reinforcements had caused a feeling of apprehension as to the final
result. Food, too, was becoming very scarce for, although small
quantities were brought in by the side opposite to that occupied by
the camp, this was altogether insufficient for the needs of a large
population, swollen by the fighting men of the whole country.

Even these supplies had ceased, since the return of the British
cavalry and the rout of Holkar, and the fighting men were losing
heart. Their losses had been small, in comparison with those of the
besiegers; but the defeat of Holkar impressed all with the fear
that the British must, in the end, triumph. They had already done
more than any who had tried to stem the tide of the British power.
They had repulsed them four times, and their defence would be the
subject of admiration for all the native peoples of India.
Therefore, when it was known that the captured English officer was
leaving the town, with his troopers, the idea that the end was near
caused general satisfaction.

Harry left the town by the gate nearest to the British encampment.
The rajah's guard still accompanied him, but halted halfway between
the walls and the camp; and there dismounted, the officer in
command telling Harry that his orders were to wait until his
return. Numbers of the soldiers had gathered at the edge of the
camp, on seeing the party riding towards it; and when the guard
fell back, and Harry with his troop approached, and it was seen
that it was a British officer with an escort of native cavalry, a
loud cheer broke out.

Most of the soldiers knew Harry by sight, and all had heard of his
being missing with his escort and, as the time had passed without
any news of him arriving, it was supposed that all had been killed
by the horsemen of Ameer Khan or Holkar. Many of the men of the 5th
Native Cavalry were in the crowd, and these shouted welcomes to
their comrades; while several English officers ran up and shook
Harry by the hand.

"I have been a prisoner in Bhurtpoor," he said, in answer to the
questio