lain before there was the chance of his
fangs and claws again becoming dangerous.

"The tribesmen, no doubt by capture and enforced service, had secured
the help of some engineers versed in the methods of sieges and assaults
on fortified places as practised in Hindustan. At that time I had never
before seen a sabat, but now from our fortifications I beheld the
gradual extension, day by day, of a broad covered way, with bull-hide
roof stretched across the trench being dug, and effectually protecting
the labourers below from our guns and muskets and catapults. We had made
several sallies with a view to try and stop this work, but these had
only resulted in losses on our side out of all proportion to the
harassment and delay inflicted on the besiegers. So we could but
impotently watch the subtle and inexorable approach of the skilled men
who would eventually reach our walls, drive mines beneath them, and blow
us to perdition.

"Our one chance lay in the question of time. If the winter began early
we should be saved, but if the snows held off till late in the year it
looked as if our doom must be sealed.

"But quite unexpectedly a ray of hope came from another quarter.
Dissension had broken out in the ranks of our foes!

"The first word was brought to us by a deserter from the besiegers'
camp, who one night had crept up to the gateway of the fort and whined
for admittance, declaring that he had important news to tell and hoped
for a reward.

"I was with my grandfather when, awakened from his sleep, he listened to
the man's story. It told of a fierce quarrel the preceding evening
between two of the leading chieftains. They had been conversing alone in
one of their tents, when suddenly those without had heard angry words.
Then it would seem that the owner of the tent had sent for one of the
slippers which his visitor had left at the doorway, and with this had
administered five or six strokes over the head, driving his guest forth
insulted and disgraced. Every one in the camp was on the alert for
fighting in the morning.

"With a grim smile Shir Jumla Khan listened to this narrative. But he
made no comment; he merely issued instructions for the informer to be
fed and for the present closely guarded.

"But if there had been any lingering doubt as to the truth of the story,
confirmation came ere the breaking of the dawn. For we were once again
disturbed from our rest, this time by the noise of a great tumult in the
camp