hey
have on until we get to Allahabad. There would be no difficulty in
getting what we require there."

"I think the plan is an excellent one, Doctor. I will ask the young
chief if his men will help us to carry the sick. If he says yes, we will
go alongside the other boat and explain our plan to Doolan."

The young Rajah at once assented, and the boat being rowed up to the
other, the plan was explained and approved of. No objection was raised
by anyone, even to the proposal for getting rid of all the luggage;
and as soon as the matter was arranged, a general disposition towards
cheerfulness was manifested. Everyone had felt that the danger of
passing Cawnpore would be immense, and this plan for avoiding it seemed
to lift a load from their minds.

It was settled they should land at some spot where the river was
bordered by bushes and young trees; that stout poles should be cut, and
blankets fastened between them, so as to form stretchers on which the
sick could be carried.

As far as possible the boats were kept on the left side of the river,
but at times shallows rendered it necessary to keep over by the right
bank. Whenever they were near the shore, silence was observed, lest the
foreign tongue should be noticed by anyone near the bank.

Night fell, and they still continued their course. An hour after sunset
they were rowing near the right bank--the Major had fallen into a sort
of doze, and Isobel was sitting next to Bathurst, and they were talking
in low tones together--when suddenly there was a hail from the shore,
not fifty yards away.

"What boats are those?"

"Fishing boats going down the river," one of the boatmen answered.

"Row alongside, we must examine you."

There was a moment's pause, and then the Doctor said in the native
language, "Row on, men," and the oars of both boats again dipped into
the water.

"We are pressed for time," the young Zemindar shouted, and then,
dropping his voice, urged the men to row at the top of their speed.

"Stop, or we fire," came from the shore.

No answer was returned from the boats; they were now nearly opposite the
speaker. Then came the word--"Fire." Six cannon loaded with grape were
discharged, and a crackle of musketry at the same moment broke out. The
shot tore through the boats, killing and disabling many, and bringing
down the arbor of boughs upon them.

A terrible cry arose, and all was confusion. Most of the rowers were
killed, and the boats drifted