feel himself an avenger of the foul treachery and the brutal
massacres that have been committed. Were it but one regiment that is
coming up instead of three, I would back it against the blood stained
wretches."

"They are fighting for freedom," Rujub said.

"They are fighting for nothing of the sort," Bathurst replied hotly;
"they are fighting for they know not what--change of masters, for
license to plunder, and because they are ignorant and have been led
away. I doubt not that at present, confident as they may be of victory,
most of them in their hearts regret what they have done. They have
forfeited their pensions, they have thrown away the benefits of their
years of service, they have been faithless to their salt, and false
to their oaths. It is true that they know they are fighting with ropes
round their necks, but even that won't avail against the discipline and
the fury of our troops. I feel as certain, Rujub, that, in spite of the
odds against them, the English will triumph, as if I saw their column
marching into the town. I don't profess to see the future as you do, but
I know enough to tell you that ere long that palace you can see through
the trees will be leveled to the ground, that it is as assuredly doomed
as if fire had already been applied to its gilded beams."

Rujub nodded. "I know the palace is doomed. While I have looked at it
it has seemed hidden by a cloud of smoke, but I did not think it was the
work of the British--I thought of an accident."

"The Rajah may fire it with his own hands," Bathurst said; "but if he
does not, it will be done for him."

"I have not told you yet, sahib," Rujub said, changing the subject, "how
it was that I could neither prevent the attack on the boats nor warn you
that it was coming. I knew at Deennugghur that news had been sent of
the surrender to the Nana. I remained till I knew you were safely in the
boats, and then rode to Cawnpore. My daughter was at the house when
I arrived, and told me that the Nana was furious with me, and that it
would not be safe for me to go near the palace. Thus, although I feared
that an attack was intended, I thought it would not be until the boats
passed the town. It was late before I learnt that a battery of artillery
and some infantry had set out that afternoon. Then I tried to warn you,
but I felt that I failed. You were not in a mood when my mind could
communicate itself to yours."

"I felt very uneasy and restless," Bathurst s