ould the
rebels break into the palace, they would undoubtedly kill her. He had
therefore little hope of again seeing his favourite.

The day was now drawing to a close, and Buxsoo had not returned.
Perhaps the people had fled; and if so, they must just pitch their camp
in the strongest position to be found, and make such preparations for
defence as time would allow. His spirits, however, revived when he saw
a large concourse of somewhat savage-looking fellows come rushing
forward, with Buxsoo at their head. As soon as they caught sight of the
young rajah, they began leaping, and shouting, and firing off their
matchlocks; and as he rode up to them they uttered their hearty
welcomes, kissing his hands, and exhibiting every mark of affection. As
no time was to be lost, at his desire they led the way back to their
village; near which Colonel Ross, with a soldier's eye, quickly selected
a spot for the encampment. By throwing up entrenchments round it, he
considered that they might fortify themselves sufficiently to offer an
effectual resistance to an enemy. It contained also a spring of water,
an important consideration. The villagers, besides, were charged to
collect all the provisions possible from far and near for the use of the
garrison.

Colonel Ross and his officers, before lying down, designed a plan of the
fortifications, which Buxsoo and Wuzeer Singh undertook, with the aid of
the natives, to commence immediately. The latter showed themselves
willing labourers, and immediately assembled with their muskets slung
over their shoulders and pickaxes in their belts. All night long they
were heard working away, one party relieving the other; Colonel Ross and
his officers taking it in turns to superintend them. Before daylight
the two guns were in position, and considerable progress had been made
in the work. While some of the villagers were labouring on the
entrenchments, others were employed in collecting provisions; and thus
the hopes of the party that they should be able to make an effectual
resistance rose considerably.

Major Molony and Captain Hawkesford now undertook to drill a number of
the people, who would, it was believed, make very efficient soldiers,
although their firearms were mostly of a wretched description. Colonel
Ross and Reginald, however, were both excessively anxious, as they
knew--what others did not--that they had but a limited amount of
ammunition, and should they be subjected to a