it seems so strange, that I can
scarcely believe the fact that I am the grandson of the old man, and
that the beautiful girl of whom we caught a glimpse is my sister."

"I can believe it very readily," answered Burnett. "To tell you the
truth, I fancied that I saw a likeness, and it struck me that she was
far more like a European than an Oriental; besides which, no Indian
woman of high rank would have been allowed to be present at the
introduction of strangers. It was very evident that the rajah had
broken through the usual customs of the country when he permitted us to
see his grand-daughter. The more I think of it, the more anxious I am
to try and recover her, as it seems strange that she should have been
spirited away without any clue to the place in which she is concealed.
You must get the rajah's leave to set off at once; and beg him to allow
us to go together. My plan will be to scour the country with two or
three hundred horsemen; and if she is concealed, as I suspect is the
case, by some fugitive rebels, we are certain to come upon them, and
shall be able to compel them to surrender her."

"You may command the horsemen, if the rajah will give them, and I will
try a plan I have thought of. My idea is to set out with Dick
Thuddichum and Faithful, and one native as a guide. I have fixed upon
one of the sons of Dhunna Singh,--a fine, intelligent young fellow, who
will, as we travel through the country, pick up information from the
natives, and thus we shall be more likely to find out where Nuna is
concealed than will be any number of armed men."

Burnett confessed that Reginald's plan might be more successful than
his; but they had to wait till the next morning for the rajah to decide.

The morning came at length, and as soon as the rajah was on foot they
hurried into his presence. He received Reginald with marked affection,
and was most gracious to Burnett. Reginald having described his plan,
pointed out the advantages of having two expeditions; and although the
rajah continued very unwilling to let both of them go together, he at
length consented to Burnett's proposal, and issued an order for two
hundred horsemen to accompany him,--a sufficient number to overawe any
rebels who might still be in arms.

Having paid their farewells to the rajah, the friends hastened away to
make preparations; Reginald at once repairing to the house of Dhunna
Singh, to explain his intended plan. He did not hesitate to te