prolonged attack the whole
might be exhausted; and the powder possessed by the natives was of too
coarse a description to be employed in their firearms.

Still no tidings had come of Burnett, and Reginald's fears for his
friend's safety increased. The fate of the casket, too, was continually
in his mind. He blamed himself for not having either sent it to Colonel
Ross for safe keeping, or despatched it by a trusty messenger to
Calcutta. But the risk of the latter proceeding was, he had considered,
too great in the present disturbed state of the country. Had it been
left with Colonel Ross, he would now have had it. He told Violet of his
anxiety, and she endeavoured to console him with the hope that the
papers might escape destruction.

"If they are lost, my dear Reginald, and you are deprived of your
rightful inheritance, it will be my pride and joy to try and make amends
to you for your loss of fortune; and I am very sure that my father would
not retract his promise under any circumstances which may occur." What
lover could desire more?

Reginald--as well as every man in the camp--being fully employed during
the day, he had but few opportunities of seeing Violet. She, on her
part, had the task of endeavouring to comfort poor Nuna, who was almost
in despair about Burnett.

Reginald endeavoured to obtain information of what was going forward by
means of sending out scouts in all directions. The intelligence they
brought back was more and more alarming. Every day the news was that
the sepoys had risen in fresh directions. Fearful massacres had taken
place at Cawnpore, Delhi, and numerous other cities. A small body of
Europeans was closely beset at Lucknow; and the generally expressed
opinion was that British rule in India was for ever at an end.

"The natives have yet to learn of what stuff the English are made,"
observed Colonel Ross. "When the European regiments advance to the
rescue, they will form a different opinion."

His calm temper and the good spirits he maintained encouraged his
countrymen, and contributed much towards inducing the natives to remain
faithful. At present they had but little fear of being attacked, as the
scouts reported that the larger number of the rebels either occupied
Delhi, or were concentrating round Cawnpore and Lucknow. Still there
were sufficient numbers in other places to prove formidable, should they
design to attack the fort.

In the meantime, all was not peace wit