, Rajah," he exclaimed, "we must let nothing stop
us. Shout to your people to follow, and dash on!"

The word was given, but so dense was the mass in front that success
appeared hopeless. Just then a shout was heard from several of the
troopers, "See! See! Our friends are coming!" At the same moment
Reginald caught sight of a large body of horsemen, whom he at once
recognised as those who had accompanied Captain Burnett, galloping down
the ravine on the left. From the heights above, they had apparently
observed the perilous position of their friends; and on they came like
an avalanche, at headlong speed, throwing themselves impetuously on the
mountaineers, who gave way as the surface of the ocean recedes before
the bows of a gallant ship impelled by the gale. Before they could
regain the heights, both parties of cavalry had united and cut their way
through them, leaving, however, many of their number dead on the field.
There was no thought of pulling rein now. Captain Burnett reported that
nearly a third of his men had separated in one of the defiles, with two
or three officers; but whether they had escaped from among the mountains
by a different route to that which he had taken, or been cut off by the
foe, he was unable to ascertain. He hoped, however, that they had
escaped, and would before long rejoin the main body.

On galloped the horsemen, without even casting a look behind, till, as
the shades of evening were gathering amid the mountains, they caught
sight of the still sunny plain ahead. Onward they dashed; and at
length, men and horses almost exhausted, they halted, as darkness came
on, by the side of a calm lake, where they could bivouac without fear of
being attacked by the mountaineers,--who would, they were very sure, not
venture to follow them into the plain.

CHAPTER FOUR.

DESERTION OF CHIEFS--THE CAMP REACHED--MOURNING FOR THE SLAIN--THE RAJAH
TAKES IT COOLLY--A HUNTING EXPEDITION--REGINALD'S NARROW ESCAPE--SAVED
BY FAITHFUL--BAD NEWS FROM THE CITY--THE RAJAH AND HORSEMEN SET OUT--
REPORT OF REBELLION CONFIRMED--THE RAJAH AND REGINALD ASSUME DISGUISES.

Reginald and Burnett, with Dick Thuddichum and Faithful, kept watch by
the side of the rajah, who was greatly cast down, not only at his
defeat, but on account of the dissatisfaction exhibited by so many of
his influential followers. During the night, while the old chief was
asleep, they heard some slight stir in the camp; but as the se