"Oh, yes! I met with no difficulty, and only fell in once with any
of his troops. I spent an evening with their officer, and after
that rode through without interruption. There was really no danger,
and I do not think Holkar, himself, could have suspected me of
being a British officer."

"And now, about the siege. You may imagine that we were all very
anxious about it; for though, of course, we should soon have
retaken the place, there would have been a general plunder and
massacre by that brute Holkar."

"You must wait for particulars until you get there," Harry said,
"for I know nothing about it whatever, except what I have heard."

"And how is that?"

"I was, at the time, a prisoner in the hands of the petty Rajah of
Sekerah. He promised to send in three hundred men. The day before
Holkar arrived, I was sent to urge him to despatch them instantly
to aid in the defence. He was evidently impressed with the idea
that Holkar was going to retake the place without any difficulty,
and would afterwards annihilate our army; so, thinking that was the
winning side, he arrested me, and sent me off to a hill fort,
fifteen miles away, and murdered my two troopers."

"And how did you get away?"

Harry gave an account of the manner in which Abdool had managed his
escape.

"Such a fellow as that is a jewel."

"He is indeed, Major; and I would not part with him for any money.
He came round with me from Bombay to Calcutta, six years ago, and
has ridden with me ever since. He fought most gallantly, in the
Malay Peninsula and at many other places. In my report, to the
general, of my last adventure I have mentioned his services with me
in my various journeys, and have strongly recommended his
promotion."

"He well deserves it," the major said. "He has, like you, carried
his life in his hand for, if he had been detected, undoubtedly he
would have shared your fate."

Chapter 18: An Awkward Position.

Three hours later, Harry was sent for by the general.

"I have read your report, Captain Lindsay, and thoroughly concur
with you that the very meritorious conduct of the soldier of the
3rd Bombay Cavalry, who has so long been attached to your service,
should be rewarded. I cannot, of course, promote him in his own
regiment. He will therefore appear in orders, tomorrow, as
appointed havildar in the 5th Bengal Cavalry, which is at present
under my command; with a statement that, having now completed ten
years' service