er by the son of Por
Sing and three lads, sons of other Zemindars. Bathurst went down to meet
them when their approach was noticed by the lookout on the roof.

"We have come to place ourselves in your hands as hostages, sahib," Por
Sing's son said. "My father thought it likely that the Sepoys or
others might make trouble, and he said that if we were in your hands as
hostages, all our people would see that the agreement must be kept, and
would oppose themselves more vigorously to the Sepoys."

"It was thoughtful and kind of your father," Bathurst said. "As far as
accommodation is concerned, we can do little to make you comfortable,
but in other respects we are not badly provided."

Some of the native servants were at once told off to erect an awning
over a portion of the terrace. Tables and couches were placed here, and
Bathurst undertook the work of entertaining the visitors.

He was glad of the precaution that had been taken in sending them, for
with the glass he could make out that there was much disturbance in
the Sepoy lines, men gathering in large groups, with much shouting and
noise. Muskets were discharged in the direction of the house, and it was
evident that the mutineers were very discontented with the decision that
had been arrived at.

In a short time, however, a body, several hundred strong, of the Oude
fighting men moved down and surrounded the house; and when a number of
the Sepoys approached with excited and menacing gestures, one of the
Zemindars went out to meet them, and Bathurst, watching the conference,
could see by his pointing to the roof of the house that he was
informing them that hostages had been given to the Europeans for the due
observance of the treaty, and doubted not he was telling them that
their lives would be endangered by any movement. Then he pointed to the
batteries, as if threatening that if any attack was made the guns would
be turned upon them. At any rate, after a time they moved away, and
gradually the Sepoys could be seen returning to their lines.

There were but few preparations to be made by the garrison for their
journey. It had been settled that they might take their personal effects
with them, but it was at once agreed to take as little as possible,
as there would probably be but little room in the boats, and the fewer
things they carried the less there would be to tempt the cupidity of the
natives.

"Well, Bathurst, what do you think of the outlook?" the Doctor as