have done nothing without them."

The two natives, seeing through the bushes the recognition that had
taken place, had now stepped forward and salaamed as the Doctor spoke a
few hearty words to them.

"But where have you sprung from, Doctor? How were you saved?"

"I jumped overboard when those scoundrels opened fire," the Doctor said.
"I kept my wits about me, and said to myself that if I were to swim for
the opposite shore the chances were that I should get shot down, so I
made a long dive, came up for air, and then went down again, and came up
the next time under some bushes by the bank; there I remained all night.
The villains were only a few yards away, and I could hear every word
they said. I heard the boat come ashore, and although I could have done
no good by rushing out, I think I should have done so if I had had any
weapon about me, and have tried to kill one or two of them before I went
down. As it was, I waited until morning. Then I heard the rumble of the
guns and the wagons, and knew that they were off. I waited for another
hour to make sure, and then stepped ashore. I went to the boat lying
by the bank. When I saw that Isobel and the other two ladies were not
there, I knew that they must have been carried off into Cawnpore. I
waited there until night, and then made my way to a peasant's house
a mile out of the town. I had operated upon him for elephantiasis two
years ago, and the man had shown himself grateful, and had occasionally
sent me in little presents of fowls and so on. He received me well, gave
me food, which I wanted horribly, stained my skin, and rigged me out in
this disguise. The next morning I went into the town, and for the last
four or five days have wandered about there. There was nothing I could
do, and yet I felt that I could not go away, but must stay within sight
of the prison where you were all confined till our column arrived.
But this morning I determined to come down to join our people who are
fighting their way up, little thinking that I should light upon you by
the way."

"We were just going to push on, Doctor; but as you have had a good long
tramp already, we will stop here until tomorrow morning, if you like."

"No, no, let us go on, Bathurst. I would rather be on the move, and you
can tell me your story as we go."

CHAPTER XXII.

Bathurst knew the Doctor well, and perceived that glad as he was to have
met them, he was yet profoundly depressed in spirits. This, ad