behind the
governor's house, and wait there for me to join you. You see, some of
the stones may come down with a run, and if they do I shall give the
rest a shove, and be out like a shot. I shall hear which side the
sentry is running round the house, and shall belt the other way. Of
course, he will see the stones and give the alarm; but in the
darkness, I have not much doubt of being able to slip away, and I will
then make my way straight to the wall. Of course, I shall have the
ladders tied up into bundles, and shall take care not to leave them
behind me."

"All right, Father. We will be ready tomorrow evening. We shall wait
quietly for you until you come, unless we hear a sudden alarm. If we
do, we will go round behind the governor's house, and wait there for
your coming."

"That is it, my lad. Now I will be going. I am glad that no one has
come in while I have been here."

Chapter 20: The Escape.

Soon after eight o'clock customers began to drop in, and throughout
the day a brisk trade was carried on. Surajah was sent for, in the
course of the morning, by the governor; who bought several silver
bracelets, brooches, and earrings for his wife. Most of the other
officers came in during the day, and made similar purchases, and many
trinkets were also sold to the soldiers, who considered them a good
investment for their money. Indeed, no small portion of the earnings
of the natives of India are spent upon silver ornaments for their
women, as they can at any time be converted into cash.

The commoner cloths, knives, beads, and trinkets were almost all
disposed of, by the end of the day, for as no traders had come up for
six months, and as a long time might elapse before others did so, the
garrison were glad to lay in a store of useful articles for themselves
and families, especially as the prices of all the goods were at least
as low as they could have been bought in a town.

"We sha'n't leave much behind us," Dick said, as he looked round after
the last customer had left, and they had sat down to their evening
meal. "Almost all the silver work and the better class of goods have
gone, and I should say three-quarters of the rest. I daresay we shall
get rid of the remainder tomorrow. I don't suppose many of the
soldiers stationed down by the gate have come up yet; but when they
hear that we sell cheaply, some of them will be here tomorrow. We have
made no money by the transaction, but at any rate we shall have