ting
orders from General Lake. The battle was scarcely over when Colonel
Monson rode up to Harry, and said:

"It is of great importance that General Lake should receive the
news of our victory, as soon as possible. There is no one so well
fitted to carry it as you are. There will be no occasion for
disguise, this time; for Holkar's depredations must have excited
the whole population against him. At the same time, you had better
take your havildar and his troopers with you. It will command
respect and, if you should come across any small body of Holkar's
marauders, I am sure that you will give a good account of them."

"Can you give me any indication as to where General Lake is likely
to be, at present, sir?"

"He marched from Shamsheer to Mahomedabad and, as he probably took
the road through Sekerah, he no doubt settled accounts with that
rascally rajah. I understood, from him, that he suspected Holkar
would make for Sherdanah; as the Begum of that place has five
battalions of drilled troops, and forty guns, which would be a
welcome reinforcement. After that he will, of course, be guided by
Holkar's movements.

"The reports of the peasantry lead me to believe that the enemy are
advancing in the direction of Furukabad. I should say that you had
best cross the Jumna at Muttra, and ride to Alighur. In that way
you will not be likely to meet Holkar's force; which must, at
present, be beyond the Ganges."

Half an hour later, Harry started with his escort. He crossed the
Jumna at Muttra, and there learned that Holkar had, the night
before, arrived within twelve miles of the town; and was, as usual,
destroying everything before him. Harry continued his course to
Cod, within a mile or two of Alighur, which he reached late in the
evening.

The capture of the fort, believed to be impregnable, had had the
effect of producing so profound a respect for the British arms that
Harry, on his arrival, was received by the principal men of the
town; and a large house was placed at his disposal, for himself and
his escort. Supplies were at once furnished and, when a meal had
been eaten and the horses attended to, the troops lay down for the
night.

Harry had been informed that a horseman had brought in news that
the British army had arrived at Bareilly. He started at daybreak
and, late the next evening, after a ride of over one hundred miles,
rode into Lord Lake's camp.

"What news do you bring?" the general asked, as he alight