sleep.

"Now, sahib," Shuja said, "it were best that you should rest, for a
time. There will be nought doing in Delhi today and, after the heat
of the day is over, we can supply you with horses and an escort."

Harry accepted the invitation, for he was stiff and sore from his
exertions. The man showed him to a room that had been prepared for
him, and he was soon fast asleep. He did not awake until the sun
was getting low. He at once went downstairs.

"The horses are ready," the zemindar said, "but I pray you to take
a meal, before mounting. It is ready, and will be served directly."

Harry, who had been too tired to do justice to his food in the
morning, was by no means sorry to take another meal. As he rose to
go, he thanked the zemindar most heartily for his kindness.

"It is an honour that you have bestowed upon me," the zemindar
said, courteously. "You and your brave countrymen are fighting to
free us from the oppression of the Mahrattas, and any one of your
race would meet with a hearty welcome here."

The horses were now brought round. The one intended for Harry was a
very handsome animal, richly caparisoned.

"It is a fine horse, indeed," he said, as he was about to mount.

"The horse is yours, sahib," Shuja Khan said. "He is of good breed,
and will carry you far and fast. I shall esteem it a great honour
that you should ride him.

"Do not thank me, I pray you. 'Tis but a little thing to do, for
one of our brave defenders; of whose deeds one of your officers was
telling me, when he was deploring your loss."

"I thank you most heartily, Khan; and, after the manner in which
you have given it, I cannot refuse so handsome a present. I shall
be proud to ride such an animal; and you may be sure that, as I do
so, I shall often think of him who presented it to me; and shall
assuredly mention, to Colonel Ochterlony, the very great kindness
with which you have received me."

As he rode off, followed by an escort of four of the zemindar's
retainers, he saw with satisfaction that Abdool was also attired in
clean white garments.

"You have done well, I hope, Abdool?"

"I have been well treated, indeed, sahib, and the zemindar's head
man told me that I was to consider the horse on which I ride my
own. He will carry me well, for he is a stout and serviceable
animal. I was wondering what we should do for horses; for there are
but few in the city, as most of those owning them sent them away,
with their valuables,