ached a turn of the road, however, they saw a large party of horsemen
galloping towards them; and all hope of escape was cut off.

"We will sell our lives dearly," said the rajah. "Let us turn round and
face our pursuers."

"No, no; gallop on," cried Reginald. "See! They are our friends. They
have arrived at a happy moment, and the victory will be ours."

Throwing off his cloak, the rajah waved his sword, and was at once
recognised by his troopers, at the head of whom rode Captain Burnett.
In another instant the rajah and Reginald, wheeling round their horses,
joined their ranks, and, without pulling rein, dashed with headlong
speed at the rebels. The first charge was terrific, horses and riders
on both sides going down; but Burnett's followers, having only just
emerged from the wood, were fresh, while their opponents, panting from
their rapid gallop, were taken at a disadvantage. The old rajah fought
fiercely, few daring to encounter his sharp scimitar. Onward he and his
party fought their way, till nearly every one of the advance-guard of
the foe were cut to pieces or had galloped off on either side. At
length Reginald caught sight of Mukund Bhim, the leader of the rebels,
who, avoiding the rajah, rode forward to meet him. Reginald, warding
off a blow aimed at his head, thrust his sword into the traitor's breast
and bore him to the ground. The rebels, seeing their leader slain, made
but a faint resistance. The mahouts turned their elephants off on
either side, the huge animals rushing across the country; and the
foot-soldiers fled back into the city, where many were cut down, others
escaping in the track of the elephants. The victory was complete; and
the rajah, at the head of his horsemen, re-entered the city in triumph.

The rajah's power was speedily re-established, those who might have been
inclined to side with the rebel Mukund Bhim at once returning to their
allegiance, and being the loudest in proclaiming their satisfaction at
the rajah's success. His first proceeding was to institute inquiries
for his grand-daughter, the young Ranee Nuna, who had so mysteriously
disappeared; but no one could give him any information. Emissaries were
despatched in all directions to endeavour to discover where she had been
concealed; and the rajah proved the love he bore her by the anxiety he
exhibited. Several of his chief officers and many other persons had
disappeared; and as they did not make their appearanc