racter, I have
for some time been expecting that he would strike a blow at Nana.
Still, I acknowledge that it has come suddenly, and the whole
position of affairs has changed. Bajee has freed himself from Nana;
but he has only riveted Scindia's yoke more firmly on his
shoulders. Like most intriguers, he has overreached himself. He has
kept one object in view, and been blind to all else.

"His course should have been to support Nana against Scindia, and
thus to keep the balance of power in his own hands. He has only
succeeded in ridding himself of the one man who had the good of his
country at heart, and who was the only obstacle to Scindia's
ambition. The fool has ruined both himself and his country.

"I think, Mr. Lindsay, that the best plan will be for you to mount
at once, and ride down to Bombay. Your presence here, just now, can
be of no special utility; and it is most desirable that the
Government should have a full statement of the matter laid before
them, by one who has been present, and who has made himself fully
acquainted with the whole politics of the Deccan.

"It is better that you should not go into the town again. I will
send in for your horses, as soon as the tumult has subsided. We
have several spare animals here, and you and your servant can take
two of them. I will write to the Governor a report of my interview
with Bajee, and say that I have sent you down to give him all the
details of what has taken place; which will save the time that it
would take me to write a long report, and will be far more
convenient, inasmuch as you can answer any point that he is
desirous of ascertaining. I do not think that you can do better
than go in the disguise that you now have on; for a soldier to be
galloping fast is a common sight, but people would be astonished at
seeing either a Brahmin or a trader riding at full speed. I will
give orders for the horses to be saddled at once and, in the
meantime, you had best take a meal. You will have no chance of
getting one on the road, and I have no doubt that dinner is ready
for serving. I will tell the butler to give some food to your man,
at once."

Twenty minutes later, Harry and Abdool were on their way. Skirting
round Poona, they heard the rattle of musketry still being
maintained; and indeed, the fighting in the streets of the city
continued for twenty-four hours. By two in the morning, they halted
at the top of the Ghauts; partly to give the horses a rest, and