ities at Calcutta view the case in the light that he has put
it, and are willing to believe that his turning against us was not
an act of deliberate treachery, but a fear of Holkar.

"His treatment of you and your escort is, in itself, much in his
favour. Of course in this, as in similar cases, we could deprive
him of his dominions, and send him a prisoner to a fortress; but
the Governor General is most anxious that this business should be
concluded. It has already cost us more men than we lost in the
overthrow of Tippoo's power. He has given me authority to negotiate
a peace, if the rajah offers to surrender. He has named the terms,
approximately; and the rajah's treatment of you will certainly
induce me to minimize the demands, as far as possible, especially
as it is most important that the force shall be available
elsewhere.

"Of course, the grant of territory made to him will be rescinded.
In the second place, we must, until all the terms of the treaty are
fulfilled, retain the fortress of Deeg, which we shall garrison
strongly. The rajah must pay twenty lakhs of rupees towards our
expenses. We shall not demand this at once, but three lakhs must
immediately be paid. One of his sons must be given up to us, as a
hostage for the fulfilment of the treaty. The rajah must also bind
himself not to enter into any communication with any princes, or
chiefs, at war with us.

"I think that you will allow that those are not hard conditions."

"Certainly not, sir; and I have no doubt that the rajah will agree
to them, without hesitation."

"I will have a draft of the treaty drawn up, in half an hour,"
General Lake said. "Of course, you will carry it back to the
rajah?"

"Certainly, sir. Fifty men of his bodyguard are waiting for me,
halfway between the camp and the town."

Harry left the tent, and found the officers of the staff and many
others waiting to welcome him back.

"They will all want to hear what you have to tell, Major," the head
of the staff said. "You had best go into the mess tent, and hold a
durbar."

The tent was soon filled with the officers, with the exception of
the chief of the staff, who had been sent for by the general.

"In the first place, Lindsay," one of the officers said, "we take
it that you have come on a mission from the rajah. Does he mean to
surrender?"

"He is willing to surrender, if the terms are not too onerous."

The announcement was received with a loud cheer. There was not o