be accepted. We war for the freedom of
our country, and have no thirst for the blood of these English sahibs,
still less for that of their wives and children."

Some of the officers angrily protested, but Por Sing stood firm, and
the other chiefs were equally determined. Seeing this, the officers
consulted together, and the highest in rank then said to the Talookdars,
"We protest against these conditions being given, but since you are
resolved, we stand aside, and are ready to agree for ourselves and our
men to what you may decide."

"What pledges do you require?" Por Sing asked Bathurst.

"We are content, Rajah, with your personal oath that the lives of all
within the house shall be respected, and your undertaking that they
shall be allowed to go unharmed down the country. We have absolute faith
in the honor of the nobles of Oude, and can desire no better guarantee."

"I will give it," Por Sing said, "and all my friends will join me in
it. Tonight I will have boats collected on the river; I will furnish you
with an escort of my troops, and will myself accompany you and see you
safely on board. I will then not only give you a safe conduct, praying
all to let you pass unharmed, but my son with ten men shall accompany
you in the boats to inform all that my honor is concerned in your
safety, and that I have given my personal pledge that no molestation
shall be offered to you. I will take my oath, and my friends will do the
same, and I doubt not that the commander of the Sepoy troops will join
me in it."

Bathurst translated what had been said to Captain Doolan.

"It is impossible for him to do more than that," he concluded; "I do not
think there is the least question as to his good faith."

"He is a fine old heathen," Captain Doolan said; "tell him that we
accept his terms."

Bathurst at once signified this, and the Rajah then took a solemn oath
to fulfill the conditions of the agreement, the other Talookdars
doing the same, and the commander of the Sepoys also doing so without
hesitation. Por Sing then promised that some carts should be collected
before morning, to carry the ladies, the sick and wounded, down to the
river, which was eight miles distant.

"You can sleep in quiet tonight," he added; "I will place a guard of my
own men round the house, and see that none trouble you in any way."

A few other points were settled, and then the party returned to the
house, to which they were followed a few minutes lat