to add to
his authority, to aid in the collection of the small tax paid by
each community, and to deter the mountain robbers from descending
on to the plain. He generally spent the cool season in going his
rounds while, during the hot weather, his headquarters were at
Bombay.

He had with him his wife and infant child. The child was some three
months old, and was looked after by an ayah, who had been in Major
Lindsay's service ten years; for three elder children had been born
to him--all, however, dying from the effects of the climate before
reaching the age of five. The ayah had nursed each, in succession,
and had become greatly attached to the family, especially to her
youngest charge. She had come to speak English well; but with the
child she always talked in her native tongue, as the major saw the
advantage it would prove to the boy, when he grew up, to be able to
speak fluently one, at least, of the native languages.

The nurse was a Mahratta. She had been in the service of the
British Resident at Poona and, when he was recalled, had entered
that of Major Lindsay, at that time a captain who acted as
secretary to the Resident.

A young officer from Bombay had just ridden out, to spend a day or
two with the major, and was sitting with him at the entrance to the
tent.

"The news from the army," he said, "is most unsatisfactory. As you
know, to the astonishment of everyone Colonel Egerton was appointed
to the command, in spite of the fact that he was so infirm as to be
altogether unfit for active service; and Mostyn, our late Resident
at Poona, and Carnac accompanied him as deputies of the Council."

"That is altogether a bad arrangement," the major said. "It has
always been a great disadvantage for a general to be accompanied by
civilians, with power to thwart his combinations. Against Mostyn's
appointment no one could raise any objection as, having been for
some years at Poona, he understands the Mahrattas, and indeed is
much liked by them, so that in any negotiations he would have far
more chance of success than a stranger; but Carnac is hot headed
and obstinate, with a very high idea of his own importance, and it
is certain that there will be difficulties between him and
Egerton."

"I am sorry to say, Major, that these anticipations were very
speedily verified. As you know, the advance party landed at Aptee,
on November 23rd, and seized the roads over the gorge; and on the
25th the main body disembarked a