we might hold out as long
as the enemy are likely to besiege the fort: and, depend on it, if they
meet with a stout resistance, they will soon lose patience, and move off
to attack some other less well defended place. But if they persevere
for any length of time, our want of ammunition may prove fatal to us.
Our only resource then will be to make a desperate sally, and to capture
their guns and tumbrils."

At any moment the fort might be attacked, for as the paper brought by
Faithful was not dated, it was difficult to say how long it had been on
its journey. From the tigress' starved appearance, Reginald thought it
likely that she might have been delayed; and that, to a certainty, she
must have come by the cantonments, where, after escaping from the city,
she would search for him. It was therefore settled that a strong force
should at once be stationed on the lines, and the advance-guard pushed
still more forward.

The necessary orders having been given, and Reginald being relieved, he
returned to his hut to sleep, with a lighter heart than he had possessed
for many a day.

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

DESPERATE STATE OF AFFAIRS--THE FORT ATTACKED--NEWS OF BURNETT--THE
SORTIE--CAPTAIN HAWKESFORD'S TREACHERY--FAITHFUL DEFENDS HER MASTER--
BURNETT AND HIS TROOPERS COME TO THE RESCUE--GUNS CAPTURED--THE FOE PUT
TO FLIGHT--FATE OF CAPTAIN HAWKESFORD--A LULL--BETTER NEWS--THE FORT
AGAIN ATTACKED--AWFUL SUSPENSE--ENEMY TAKE TO FLIGHT--FORT EVACUATED--
THE MARCH--PURSUED--A FIERCE ENGAGEMENT--REGINALD LEFT WOUNDED ON THE
BATTLE-FIELD--RELIEVING FORCE APPEARS--FAITHFUL AGAIN PROTECTS HER
MASTER--DICK DISCOVERS HER--BRITISH VICTORIOUS--REGINALD RECOVERED--
RETURN TO CALCUTTA--DEATH OF FAITHFUL--VOYAGE HOME--CONCLUSION.

The colonel's bungalow, though rudely constructed, had been made as
comfortable as circumstances would allow. Reginald, as may be supposed,
proceeded to it at an early hour, and was welcomed by Violet in the
breakfast-room. Her father had not told her of what had occurred, and
Reginald was thus the first to give her the satisfactory intelligence.

"I am indeed thankful, for your sake," she answered, as she took his
hand; "and the recovery of the casket will encourage us to trust that we
may yet be carried through all the dangers and difficulties which
surround us. I have never despaired, and have placed full confidence in
the love and mercy of God. Whatever he orders is for the best, I know,
though I cannot