ce, quickly.

"My life upon it, sahib," said Dost. "I can attend him too when the
master does not want me. But I can be useful to him still."

"This is no time for wanting servants," said Brace, shortly. "Let it be
as he proposes. I will get the men and the dhooly at once."

"Where will the master be when I want to follow him?"

Brace hesitated for a few moments, and seemed to be about to speak out,
but he altered his mind, and said slowly:

"I cannot say yet. But we will keep communicating with you where the
major is."

"But the master had better take me," said Dost, quickly. "The place
will be full of budmashes, and the people all about will be enemies now.
How are the sahibs to know where to get food or shelter, or to get news
without me? I can go anywhere--you nowhere."

"Not yet," said Brace, meaningly; "but you are right, Dost, you shall go
with us, and keep open our communications."

We went out and across to the gate, where Haynes was fretting with
anxiety, but a thrill ran through the men as they found there was work
on hand. The orders were given, and a corporal and four men were told
off to carry the dhooly, which was found at once, and borne to the
mess-room. Then the major was carefully lifted in, and with the doctor
in charge and Dost as guide, the little party sallied forth with the
understanding that they were to return as quickly as possible.

The interval was spent in a search for food; then arms were hunted out,
we officers finding that our quarters had not been plundered, and
hurriedly changing our hunting garments for service uniform; and somehow
as I stepped out again into the dark night, with sword belted on, and
pistols ready to place in my saddle holsters, the helpless despairing
feeling began to wear off.

By this time the horses had been saddled and bridled, and all were ready
for the next move, but the doctor did not return, and while we were
waiting a faint shouting arose from below in the city.

We had been well over the barracks and learned the worst, Brace sharing
my surprise that so little plundering had been going on; and whilst we
were standing once more in the court with the men drawn up, a picket at
the gate, and one of the horses laden with provisions and ammunition,
Haynes turned to me.

"It's terribly un-English," he said; "but they would have no mercy on
us."

"What do you mean?" I said.

"They have declared war on us, and they ought to take the consequ